Electroacupuncture ameliorates cardiopulmonary bypass induced apoptosis in lung via ROS/Nrf2/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

AIMS: Electroacupuncture (EAc) has a pulmonary protective effect during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), but its molecular mechanisms including inflammasome activation signaling pathways remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control, CPB + EAc and CPB groups. Lung injury model was developed by CPB treatment and EAc (2/100 Hz) was carried out before CPB in the CPB + EAc group. Lung tissues were collected at two time points (0.5 h; 2 h) to determine cytokines release by ELISA kits, and protein expressions by Western blot. Serum collected at two time points (0.5 h; 2 h) from CPB and CPB + EAc treated groups were used in NR8383 cells to confirm the effect of EAc. KEY FINDINGS: CPB significantly increased the inflammatory mediators, histological damage and expression of inflammasome related protein and apoptosis, when compared with control group. The level of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-1ß in the CPB + EAc treated group was significantly decreased along with histological changes compared to CPB. Moreover, EAc inhibited the activation of Nod like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome complex, caspase-8 and activated NF-E2-related factor 2 (p-Nrf2). In addition, serum from the CPB + EAc group prevented CPB induced activation of inflammasome and related mediators, reducing ROS generation and apoptosis in NR8383 macrophages. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings indicate that EAc had a critical anti-apoptotic role by suppression of ROS/Nrf2/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. EAc might be a possible therapeutic treatment for CPB-induced acute lung injury.

In vivo sedative activity of methanolic extract of Stericulia villosa Roxb. leaves.

BACKGROUND: This plant is very popular ingredient of local made drinks during hot summer. After drinking this drink people feels fresh, relaxed and can enjoy sound sleep. Present study was aimed to assess the sedative properties of a plant Sterculia villosa leaves. Therefore, we tried to find out the methanolic extract from the leaves of Sterculia villosa leaves having any sedative activity or not. METHODS: The extract were subjected to various in vivo methods like hole cross test, open field test, elevated plus-maze (EPM) test, thiopental sodium induced sleeping time test. Diazepam was used as the standard drug. RESULTS: From the study, it is clear that the extract has excellent CNS depressant activity by reducing locomotors activity of mice in every cases of hole cross test, open field test, elevated plus-maze (EPM) test compared to the standard diazepam. In addition, the extract prolong the sleeping time (230 min) with quick onset of action (9 min) in contrast to the standard and control group. CONCLUSIONS: From the present study it can be conclude that the extract posses significant a sedative property that may lead to new drug development and further investigation is necessary to understand the underlying mechanisms and to isolate the active principles.