Effects of Yaotu Granules on nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway in human nucleus pulposus cells

He Sheng-hua; Tan Wei-wei; Sun Zhi-tao; Wang Ye-guang; Wang Jian; Lai Ju-yi

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2016.33.010

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is highly expressed in the degenerated intervertebral disc. The Herbal Compound formula Yaotu Granules for lumbar disc herniation has achieved good clinical results;however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE:To explore mechanisms underlying the effects of the drug serum of Yaotu Granules on NF-κB signaling pathway. METHODS:Eight New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into normal saline group, low-, middle-, and high-dose drug groups. Normal saline, 10, 20, and 40 mL of water decoction of Yaotu Granules were administered intragastrical y in the normal saline, low-, middle-, and high-dose drug groups for 7 days, respectively. The drug serum of Yaotu Granules was prepared using serum samples obtained from the common carotid artery at 2 hours after the last administration. Human nucleus pulposus cel s were maintained in DMEM containing 10%(v/v) drug serum for 24 hours. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The expression levels of interleukin (IL)-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, p-P65, P50, IκB-α(the NF-κB inhibitor), and IκB kinaseβ(IKK-β) mRNA in human nucleus pulposus cel s in three drug serum groups were significantly decreased compared with the normal saline group;in addition, a similar change in the expression levels of p-P65, P50, IκB-α, and IKK-βprotein between groups were detected. Noticeably, the expression levels of IL-8, TNF-α, p-P65, P50, IκB-α, and IKK-βmRNA, as wel as the expression levels of p-P65, P50, IκB-α, and IKK-βprotein were gradual y decreased with the increased drug dose. Al these results suggest that the drug serum of Yaotu Granules can protect nucleus pulposus cel s and delay their degeneration through blocking NF-κB signaling pathway.