Protective effects of Panax notoginseng saponins in a rat model of severe acute pancreatitis occur through regulation of inflammatory pathway signaling by upregulation of miR-181b

Abstract

Panax notoginseng saponins are extracted from Chinese ginseng— Panax notoginseng Ledeb —and are known to have therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects. However, the precise mechanism behind their anti-inflammatory effects remains relatively unknown. To better understand how Panax notoginseng saponins exert their therapeutic benefit, we tested them in a rat model of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Rats received a tail vein injection of Panax notoginseng saponins and were administered 5% sodium taurocholate 2 h later. Pancreatic tissue was then harvested and levels of miR-181b, FSTL1, TREM1, TLR4, TRAF6, IRAK1, p-Akt, p-p38MAPK, NF-κBp65, and p-IκB-α were determined using Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to determine serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), TREM1, interleukin (IL)-6, ACAM-1, IL-8, and IL-12 and DNA-bound levels of NF-KB65 and TLR4 in pancreatic and ileum tissue. Serum levels of lipase and amylase, pancreatic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and pancreatic water content were also measured. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used for all histological analyses. Results indicated upregulation of miR-181b, but negligible levels of FSTL1, p-p38MAPK, TLR4, TRAF6, p-Akt, IRAK1, TREM1, p-NF-κBp65, and p-IκB-α, as well as negligible DNA-bound levels of NF-KB65 and TLR4. We also observed lower levels of IL-8, IL-6, ACAM-1, TNF-α, MPO, and IL-12 in the Panax notoginseng saponin–treated group when compared with controls. In addition, Panax notoginseng saponin–treated rats had significantly reduced serum levels of lipase and amylase. Histological analyses confirmed that Panax notoginseng saponin treatment significantly reduced taurocholate-induced pancreatic inflammation. Collectively, our results suggest that Panax notoginseng saponin treatment attenuated acute pancreatitis and pancreatic inflammation by increasing miR-181b signaling. These findings suggest that Panax notoginseng saponins have therapeutic potential in the treatment of taurocholate-induced SAP.

Genistein Supplementation Alters the Expression Levels of miR-155 and miR-181b in the Uterus of Estrogen-Deficient Rats

“…Moreover, anti-inflammatory effects of genistein have also been proposed in lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in human endometrial cells (45). Recently, Liu et al have reported that Panax notoginseng saponins, extracted from Chinese ginseng, could reduce pancreatic inflammation by increasing miR-181b signaling (43). In our study, genistein treatment partially decreased miR-155 and increased miR-181b expression levels in the OVX.G group compared to OVX.…”

“…More pertinently, genistein was found to have anticancer effects during the downregulation of miR-155 (22). Upregulation of miR-181b was associated with reduced edema and inflammatory cell infiltration during pancreatitis (43). It has been suggested that treatment with phytoestrogens could significantly decrease inflammatory biomarkers in estrogen-deficient rats (21).…”

Physicochemical, Digestive, and Sensory Properties of Panax Notoginseng Saponins Encapsulated by Polymerized Whey Protein

“…The effective activities of saponins result from the hydrolytic aglycone and secondary aglycone [ 3 ]. Studies have found that PNS have beneficial effects on curing cardiovascular diseases [ 4 ] and show anti-osteoporosis [ 5 ], anti-cancer [ 6 ], anti-inflammatory [ 7 ] activities as well as protecting action with regard to liver and kidney [ 8 ]. However, PNS are unacceptable to consumers due to the bitter taste, are unstable in the stomach, and present low oral bioavailability [ 9 , 10 ], which limits their applications in the food industry.…”