[Effects of three Chinese herbal antidotes (Herba artemisiae annuae, Herba hedyotis diffusae and Rhizoma cimicifugae) and their different combinations on regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreated expression in MRL/lpr mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of three Chinese herbal antidotes, i.e. Herba Artemisiae annuae (A), Herba Hedyotis diffusae (H) and Rhizoma Cimicifugae (C), all were ingredients of Jiedu Quyu Ziyin Recipe, for adjusting the regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreated (RANTES), gene expression in serum and renal tissue of MRL/lpr mice. METHODS: Fifty-four MRL/lpr mice were randomized into 9 groups, with 6 in each, and intragastrically infused with A, H, C, A+H, H+C, A+C, A+H+C (all in dosage-form of decoction), prednisone suspension and physiological saline, respectively for 12 weeks. RANTES expression in serum and renal tissue of animals were detected with ELISA and RT-PCR at the end of the study. RESULTS: Levels of RANTES expression was significantly reduced in the prednisone treated group after treatment. Excepting no significant change being observed in the groups treated with A and C, the changes in the other groups were all milder than those in the group treated with A+H+C. CONCLUSION: Chinese herbal antidotes A, H and C in combination can significantly inhibit the RANTES expression in serum and renal tissue of MRL/lpr mice.