Chaiqin Chengqi decoction inhibits inflammatory mediators and attenuates acute pancreatitis through deactivation of janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Chaiqin Chengqi decoction (CQCQD) on acute pancreatitis (AP) by janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

AP was induced by caerulein both in AR42J cells and in mice. AR42J cells were divided into five groups: the control group, the AP group, the CQCQD group, JAK/STAT signaling pathway inhibitor AG490 group, and the CQCQD and AG490 group. After induction, cellular supernatant of five groups were collected for measuring the concentrations of inflammatory cytokine amylase, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the expression of JAK-2, STAT-3 signaling transduction proteins by Western blot, respectively. Experiments in mice were performed similar to that of in AR42J cells.

RESULTS

Treatment of AR42J cells with CQCQD reduced the pancreatic injury and negatively regulated the activities of amylase, as well as inhibited expression of several inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB. Administration of CQCQD significantly inhibited JAK-2 activation and down-regulated phosphorylation of downstream substrate STAT-3 the same as AG490, resulting in inhibition of inflammatory mediators and amelioration of pancreatitis.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that CQCQD exerted anti-inflammatory effects on AP via reducing expression and phosphorylation of JAK and STAT.