Taraxacum officinale protects against cholecystokinin-induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

Abstract

AIM:

Taraxacum officinale (TO) has been frequently used as a remedy for inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TO on cholecystokinin (CCK)-octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

METHODS:

TO at 10 mg/kg was orally administered, followed by 75 microg/kg CCK octapeptide injected subcutaneously three times after 1, 3 and 5 h. This whole procedure was repeated for 5 d. We determined the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio, the levels of pancreatic HSP60 and HSP72, and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Repeated CCK octapeptide treatment resulted in typical laboratory and morphological changes of experimentally-induced pancreatitis.

RESULTS:

TO significantly decreased the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio in CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis. TO also increased the pancreatic levels of HSP60 and HSP72. Additionally, the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-alpha decreased in the animals treated with TO.

CONCLUSION:

TO may have a protective effect against CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis.

• Authors: Sang-Wan Seo, Hyun-Na Koo, Hyo-Jin An, Kang-Beom Kwon, Byung-Cheal Lim, Eun-A Seo, Do-Gon Ryu, Goo Moon, Hong-Yeoul Kim, Hyung-Min Kim, Seung-Heon Hong
• Journal: World journal of gastroenterology (World J Gastroenterol) Vol. 11 Issue 4 Pg. 597-9 (Jan 28 2005) ISSN: 1007-9327 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15641154 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Chaperonin 60
• HSP72 Heat-Shock Proteins
• Heat-Shock Proteins
• Plant Preparations
• Sincalide

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Animals
• Body Weight
• Chaperonin 60 (metabolism)
• HSP72 Heat-Shock Proteins
• Heat-Shock Proteins (metabolism)
• Male
• Organ Size
• Pancreas (metabolism, pathology)
• Pancreatitis (chemically induced, drug therapy, pathology)
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Preparations (pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Sincalide
• Taraxacum