To Study the Effect of Indigo Naturalis on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Its Mechanism of Action

Yane Tan and Weidong Xu*

Department of Rheumatology, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China

^*Correspondance to: Weidong Xu 

 PDF  Full Text Research Article | Open Access

Abstract:

Background: As a traditional Chinese medicine, Indigo Naturalis mainly has the following functions: Clearing away heat and detoxification, treating sores and promoting muscle growth, cooling blood to stop bleeding, clearing lungs and relieving coughs, calming liver and relieving convulsions. Modern and widely used in infectious diseases, skin diseases, digestive tract diseases, tumors and other diseases. Objective: To study the effect of Indigo Naturalis on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and its mechanism of action. Methods: Except for mice in the normal model group, mice of ten weeks old were taken orally every day for eight consecutive weeks. Measure the serum levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies IgG, IgM, IL-6, TNF-α, Creatinine (Cr) and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), and measure 24-h urine protein. Pathological analysis of nephritis was evaluated by Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining. Western blot method was used to detect mouse PD-L1 and APRLL protein expression. Results: In the high-dose treatment group (Indigo QHD, 0.4 g/kg/d), the mice’s serum levels of anti-dsDNA, IgG, IgM, BUN, Cr and inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and proteinuria are significantly reduced which treated with Indigo Naturalis. High-dose Indigo Naturalis can significantly inhibit renal pathological changes. Indigo Naturalis can reduce the expression of PDL1 and APRLL protein. Conclusion: Studies have shown that Indigo Naturalis may be a potential drug for the treatment of SLE; it may be through inhibiting the expression of PD-L1 and APRLL protein to play a role in the treatment of SLE.

Keywords:

Systemic lupus erythematosus; MRL/lpr Mice; SLE; Indigo naturalis

Cite the Article:

Tan Y, Xu W. To Study the Effect of Indigo Naturalis on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Its Mechanism of Action. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2021; 6: 2049.