Expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in BALB/c mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation and therapeutic effect of mustard seed (Sinapis Alba Linn) / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice and the therapeutic effects of mustard seed (Sinapis Alba Linn).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty BALB/c mice were randomized equally into blank control group (fed with normal forage and treated with vehicle), model group (fed with normal forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream), and experimental group (fed with 5% mustard seed forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream). RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression and distribution of ASC and caspase-1. ELISA was used to test the serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank control group, the mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation showed significantly increased NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11 mRNA expressions, ASC and caspase-1 protein expressions , and serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 (P<0.05). These changes were obviously attenuated by feeding the mice with mustard seed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and mustard seed may suppress the inflammation induced by IL-1β and IL-18 through down-regulating the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome.</p>

Effects of mustard seed on 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced allergic contact dermatitis in BALB/c mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the therapeutic effect of mustard seed on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in mice and explore the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group and mustard seed group. The mice in the normal control group and model group were fed with normal chow, and those in mustard seed group were given 5% mustard seed mixed in the chow. Three weeks later, ACD was induced on the ear using 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene. After 24 h, the swelling of the ear was examined, and the rats were sacrificed to collect the ear tissue ears and blood for histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations, RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In mice with ACD, feeding with mustard seeds significantly lessened the ear swelling, improved the tissue histopathology, lowered the number of infiltrating Langerhans cells, and reduced the expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA in the ear, but did not cause significant changes in serum levels of IL-4, IFN-γ and IL-17.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mustard seed inhibits ACD in mice possibly by suppressing the expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA and inhibiting Langerhans cell migration in the epidermis.</p>