Effect and Mechanisms of Danhong Injection on Proinflammatory Cytokines Release from THP-1 Macrophages Induced by Lipopolysaccharides

Objective This study was to investigate the effect of Danhong injection on proinflammatory cytokine release from lipopolysaccharide( LPS)-induced THP-1 macrophages. Methods Human THP-1 macrophages were induced using phorbol-12-myristate acetate( PMA,160 nmol /L) for 24 h,then cells were divided into four groups: control group,LPS group,Danhong group and LPS + Danhong group. Secretion of proinflammatory cytokines,including tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α),interleukin-6( IL-6) and interleukin-1β( IL-1β) was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay( ELISA). The protein expression of nuclear factor-κB( NF-κB) p65 and Toll-like receptor 4( TLR4) were examined by Western blot. Results Danhong injection inhibited the release of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β induced by LPS,repressed the translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus and TLR4 expression. Conclusions Danhong injection inhibited the release of inflammatory cytokine that induced by LPS,and the mechanisms may be related to the TLR4 and NF-κB expressions.