Hong Zhiming, Chen Zilong, Chen Wenshuo, Qiu Junfeng, Wang Shengjie, Wei Yi, Guo Jun
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Xiyuan Hospital, Beijing, China.
Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
Am J Mens Health. 2025 Mar-Apr;19(2):15579883251322958. doi: 10.1177/15579883251322958. Epub 2025 Mar 24.
Chronic prostatitis (CNP) is a prevalent inflammatory disorder among men. The Xialiqi capsule has been reported to alleviate the clinical symptoms of CNP patients, which may be related to its anti-inflammatory effect; yet, its exact mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, human normal prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-2 cells) were categorized into a control group, a model group, an inhibitor group, along with high, medium, and low drug-containing serum groups (5%, 10%, and 15%, respectively). With the exception of the control group, cell pyroptosis models were created by stimulating with lipopolysaccharide (100 ng/mL) and adenosine triphosphate (5 mM). Subsequently, drug-containing serum and the NOD-like receptor 3 () inhibitor (MCC950) were utilized to intervene with the model cells according to their respective groups. Post-administration of MCC950 and drug-containing serum, an improvement in cell viability was noted in the inhibitor group and medium-high dosage groups (by 20.5%, 38.2%, and 73.2%). Transmission electron microscopy indicated a reduction in the features characteristic of cell pyroptosis. Levels of nitric oxide, interleukin-18 (IL-18), and tumor necrosis factor-α in the cellular supernatant decreased significantly (60.7%, 21.6%, 33.7%, 41.8%; 49.2%, 54.8%, 53.5%, 69.3%; 31.3%, 44.4%, 38.1%, 51.2%). Immunofluorescence showed reduced fluorescence intensity of NLRP3 and Cysteine aspartate protease-1 (Caspase-1) proteins, and Western Blot analysis revealed a significant decline in the expression of NLRP3, pro-Caspase-1, and gasdermin D (20.5%, 45.9%, 58.1%, 74.8%; 23.2%, 36.7%, 51.6%, 51.9%; 15.4%, 28.6%, 33.1%, 39.2%). In vitro experiments suggest that the Xialiqi capsule may treat CNP by regulating prostate epithelial cell pyroptosis and reducing inflammatory factor release via inhibiting the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway. This study offers a novel approach for future CNP treatment with traditional Chinese medicine preparations, deserving further promotion.
慢性前列腺炎（CNP）是男性中一种常见的炎症性疾病。据报道，夏荔芪胶囊可缓解CNP患者的临床症状，这可能与其抗炎作用有关；然而，其确切作用机制尚不清楚。在本研究中，人正常前列腺上皮细胞（RWPE - 2细胞）被分为对照组、模型组、抑制剂组以及高、中、低含药血清组（分别为5%、10%和15%）。除对照组外，通过用脂多糖（100 ng/mL）和三磷酸腺苷（5 mM）刺激建立细胞焦亡模型。随后，根据各自分组，用含药血清和NOD样受体3（NLRP3）抑制剂（MCC950）干预模型细胞。给予MCC950和含药血清后，抑制剂组和中高剂量组的细胞活力有所改善（分别提高20.5%、38.2%和73.2%）。透射电子显微镜显示细胞焦亡特征减少。细胞上清液中一氧化氮、白细胞介素 - 18（IL - 18）和肿瘤坏死因子 -α水平显著降低（分别降低60.7%、21.6%、33.7%、41.8%；49.2%、54.8%、53.5%、69.3%；31.3%、44.4%、38.1%、51.2%）。免疫荧光显示NLRP3和半胱天冬酶 - 1（Caspase - 1）蛋白的荧光强度降低，蛋白质免疫印迹分析显示NLRP3、前体Caspase - 1和gasdermin D的表达显著下降（分别降低20.5%、45.9%、58.1%、74.8%；23.2%、36.7%、51.6%、51.9%；15.4%、28.6%、33.1%、39.2%）。体外实验表明，夏荔芪胶囊可能通过调节前列腺上皮细胞焦亡并抑制NLRP3/Caspase - 1信号通路减少炎症因子释放来治疗CNP。本研究为未来用中药制剂治疗CNP提供了一种新方法，值得进一步推广。
