In vitro effects of emodin on peritoneal macrophage intercellular adhesion molecule-3 in a rat model of severe acute pancreatitis/systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Abstract

Abstract. Rhubarb is often used in Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Emodin is the main active constituent of rhubarb. This study was performed to investigate the in vitro effects of emodin and dexamethasone on peritoneal macrophage (pMΦ) phagocytosis and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-3 (ICAM-3). A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham surgery (n=10) and model groups (n=30). After 24 h, pMΦs were harvested and the model group was randomly divided into three subgroups (n=10 rats̸subgroup): the 5 µg/ml emodin, 0.1 µmol/ml dexamethasone and control groups. The drugs were administered following macrophage (MΦ) adhesion for 24 h. pMΦ phagocytosis was significantly increased in the emodin group compared to that in the control group. Moreover, pMΦ phagocytosis was significantly increased in the emodin group compared to that in the dexamethasone group. The expression of ICAM-3 was significantly increased in the emodin group compared to that in the control group. The expression of ICAM-3 was significantly increased in the emodin group compared to that in the dexamethasone group. The expression of ICAM-3 was significantly increased in the emodin and dexamethasone groups compared to that in the control group. pMΦ phagocytosis and ICAM-3 expression were significantly increased following emodin treatment compared to those in the control and dexamethasone groups, indicating that emodin may enhance pMΦ phagocytosis and apoptotic cell clearance by altering ICAM-3 expression.

Emodin Bidirectionally Modulates Macrophage Polarization and Epigenetically Regulates Macrophage Memory

“…Lin et al (46) showed that emodin shifted the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th2 by decreasing IFN␥ and IL2 and increasing IL4 levels in the serum of rats that received orthotopic liver transplantation. Emodin has also shown effectiveness in treating acute models of inflammation in the pancreas, lungs, kidneys, and liver at least partly through inhibiting NFB signaling (47)(48)(49)(50). Our laboratory has shown that emodin is able to attenuate liver inflammation in an experimental model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver (31).…”

Emodin Ameliorates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury, Involving the Inactivation of NF-κB in Mice

“…Emodin, the bio-active compound of Radix rhizoma Rhei in traditional Chinese medicine, shows multiple pharmacological values, including anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrosis, anti-tumor proliferation, anti-atherosclerotic, immunosuppressive and anti-oxidative effects [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Li et al found that LPS-induced mastitis in mice was markedly inhibited by emodin administrations [ 26 ].…”

“…Recent studies confirmed the anti-inflammatory value of emodin in several conditions, such as pancreatitis, atherosclerosis, asthma, hepatitis and sepsis [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Furthermore, it has been found that the anti-inflammatory effect of emodin results from inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. However, the value of emdoin in LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation is still unclear.…”

Targeting MicroRNA Function in Acute Pancreatitis

“…When AP occurs, the damaged pancreatic cells release pro-inflammatory mediators to stimulate macrophages in the pancreas, peritoneum, and other tissues (Gutierrez et al, 2008 ). Activated macrophages secrete various inflammatory cytokines, resulting in the spread of inflammation (Jaffray et al, 2000 ; Ni et al, 2014 ). Therefore, cell-level therapies targeting macrophages may achieve a valuable breakthrough in the treatment of AP.…”