ABSTRACT
Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F has significant anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties and is widely used for treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and kidney disease, especially in traditional Chinese medicine. The mechanisms underlying its effects may be diverse but they remain unclear, and its toxicity and side effects limit its wider clinical application. This review summarizes the clinical application of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F in recent years, as well as the results of studies into its mechanisms and toxicity, to provide a reference for its future clinical application.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use , Immunosuppressive Agents/pharmacology , Inflammation/drug therapy , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/drug therapy , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Pyroptosis/drug effects , TripterygiumABSTRACT
Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effects of melatonin on antioxidant capacity, inflammation and apoptotic cell death (through expression of cleaved-caspase 3) in lung tissue samples of diabetic rats. Methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (control group) was made up of healthy rats. Group 2 (diabetes group) received streptozotocin at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days.Group 3 (diabetes plus melatonin group) received streptozotocin at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days and then they received melatonin at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day between 28thand 35thdays of the study. Results: Tissue MDA and MPO levels were found to be significantly higher in diabetes group compared to control group (p<0.05) whilst administration of melatonin was found to significantly lower this increase down to normal levels (p<0.05). Bronchus associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) was more severe in diabetics whereas administration of melatonin alleviated this hyperplasia. Cleaved caspase 3 activity was severe in hyperplastic BALT in diabetic rats however in lowered down to moderate level when melatonin was administered. Conclusion: The melatonin caused an increase in antioxidant capacity and decreased the expression of cleaved-caspase 3.