ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the effect of hydroxynaphthoquinone extract from Lithospermum enythrorhizon on the inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced peritoneal macrophage RAW264.7 cells of mice and on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the TNBS-induced rat model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: The hydroxynaphthoquinone fraction was extracted from L. enythrorhizon. The inhibition of hydroxynaphthoquinone on the inflammatory cytokines was tested by ELISA method. The IBD rat model was induced with TNBS. After 24 h of the model induction, the rats were ig administered for 7 d, After 24 h of the last administration, all rats were killed and the expression of TNF-α in colon tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: The hydroxynaphthoquinone extract from L. enythrorhizon had the inhibition on TNF-α and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Compared with the model group, the expression level of TNF-α in the colon tissue of IBD rats induced by TNBS was significantly lower in hydroxynaphthoquinone extract groups. Conclusion: Hydroxynaphthoquinone extract from L. enythrorhizon has the inhibition on TNF-α and IL-1β, which provides a support for the development of hydroxynaphthoquinone extract from L. enythrorhizon into a therapeutical agent.