New Modes of GPCR Signalling

Effects of Yishendaluo Decoction on Axonal Degeneration, Inflammatory
Reaction, and Neurological Function in a Mouse Model of Experimental
Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Xiaoling Shang1, Ying Gao2, Ling Yin3, Jintao Zhang4, Shuoren Wang2
1Department of Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Basic Medical College,
Changchun University of Chinese Medicine,Changchun 130117, Jilin Province, China, 2.
Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Dongzhimen
Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China, 3.Center for
Neuroinformatics, General Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China,
4.Department of Neurology, the 88 Hospital of Chinese PLA, Taian 271000, Shandong
Province, China
Aim: To investigate the effects of Yishendaluo decoction on a mouse model of experimental
autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Methods: A total of 96 healthy, female, SJL/J mice, aged 8-12
weeks, were equally and randomly assigned to normal, model, hormone, and Chinese medicine
groups. A total of 0.2 mL antigen preparation, supplemented with 150 μg PLP139-151 and
400 μg H37RA, was subcutaneously injected into the upper abdomen of mice from the model,
hormone, and Chinese medicine groups. Mouse models of experimental autoimmune
encephalomyelitis were established by intravenous injection of 0.1 mL Bordetella pertussis
solution containing 0.6 × 106 Bordetella pertussis at days 1 and 3. Mice from the model,
Chinese medicine, and hormone groups were respectively subjected to 0.2 mL saline, 2 g/kg
Yishendaluo decoction, and 0.078 mg/kg prednisone acetate, once daily for 14 consecutive days.
Mice from the normal group were left intact. Results: A few inflammatory cell infiltration,
nerve fiber breakage and slight demyelination were detected in the central nervous system of
mice from the Chinese medicine and hormone groups compared with the model group.
Expression of β-amyloid precursor protein and p38 protein was significantly diminished in the
central nervous system of mice from the Chinese medicine and hormone groups compared with
the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and the decrease was greatest in the Chinese medicine
group. The decrease in mouse weight was not significant, and neurological function scores were
less in the Chinese medicine and hormone groups compared with the model group (P < 0.05 or
P < 0.01). Interferon-γ levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.01), and interleukin-4 levels
were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in the brains of the Chinese medicine and hormone
groups, compared with the model group. Conclusion: Yishendaluo decoction improved
neurological function in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by
downregulating β-amyloid precursor protein expression, resisting axonal degeneration, and
relieving inflammatory reaction. The anti-inflammatory mechanism was regulated by inhibition
of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signal pathway.
Key Words: autoimmune encephalomyelitis; multiple sclerosis; Yishendaluo decoction; β
-amyloid precursor protein