Protective Effects of Ethanol Extract from Aster Yomena on Acute Pancreatitis

Aster Yomena (AY) has been used in traditional medicine to treat diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes and osteoarthritis. However, protective effect of AY on acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been reported. The present study examined the anti-inflammatory effects of an ethanol extract of AY on cerulein-induced AP. AP was induced in mice by intraperitoneally injecting cerulein (50 ㎍/㎏) hourly for 6 times. 70% ethanol extract of AY (0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 g/㎏) was orally administered for 1 week before acute pancreatitis induction. The mouse was killed at 6 hours after the final cerulein injection. The pancreas and lung were rapidly removed for histological examination and myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. Blood samples were taken to determine serum amylase and lipase activity. In addition real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was also performed to investigate mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α. IL-1β, and IL-6. Administration of AY significantly ameliorated pancreatic weight to body weight ratio, histological damages and MPO activity during AP. In addition, AY inhibited the serum amylase and lipase activity during AP. Also, mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were inhibited by AY against AP. Our results revealed that pre-treatment of AY reduces the severity of cerulein-induced AP. Therefore, AY may have a protective effect drug against AP.