ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of Xuebijing on paraquat-induced oxidative stress and inflammation level in human kidney cell line-2 (HK-2) cells. Methods The HK-2 cells were routinely cultured and divided into blank control group, paraquat poisoning model group, Xuebijing injection pretreatment group and Xuebijing control group according to random number table method. The concentration of paraquat in HK-2 cells were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by chemical colorimetry method; the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results With prolonged treatment, paraquat concentration gradually increased in HK-2 cells in the paraquat poisoning model group and the Xuebijing injection pretreatment group, reaching the peak value after treatment for 48 hours, moreover, the concentration of paraquat in HK-2 in the Xuebijing injection pretreatment group was significantly lower than that in the paraquat poisoning model group (mg/L: 4.26±0.20 vs. 5.77±0.18, P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the contents of MDA, TNF-α and IL-6 of paraquat poisoning model group were obviously elevated [MDA (nmol/mg): 4.47±0.10 vs. 2.21±0.08, TNF-α (ng/L): 206.91±13.22 vs. 98.14±5.67, IL-6 (ng/L): 253.33±5.22 vs. 116.97±13.54, all P <0.05], and the activity of SOD was significantly reduced (U/mg: 33.30±0.62 vs. 41.58±0.17, P < 0.05). Compared with paraquat poisoning model group, the contents of MDA, TNF-α and IL-6 in Xuebijing injection pretreatment group were obviously decreased [MDA (nmol/mg): 2.92±0.17 vs. 4.47±0.10, TNF-α (ng/L): 166.29±15.47 vs. 206.91±13.22, IL-6 (ng/L): 209.39±3.18 vs. 253.33±5.22, all P < 0.05], and the activity of SOD was significantly increased (U/mg:38.10±0.67 vs. 33.30±0.62, P < 0.05) in the paraquat pretreatment group. Conclusion Xuebijing could reduce the concentration of paraquat in HK-2 cells, and decrease oxidative stress and inflammation factor levels in HK-2 cells.