Abstract
Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Aconiti Tuber on the plasma IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ level in mice stimulated by intracerebroventricular(I.C.V.) Injection of Lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Method: 6 mice were assigned to each of the normal group, the control group, and the experimental group. In the normal group only saline was administered intragastrically, and in the control group LPS was injected intracerebro-ventricularly 1 hr after intragastric administration of saline. In the experimental groups (Aconiti Tuber 0.5g/kg, Aconiti Tuber 1.0g/kg, Aconiti Tuber 3.0g/kg) each sample was administered intragastrically to mice 1 hr prior to the stimulation by LPS I.C.V. Injection. To measure the plasma IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ level of mice, their blood samples were collected from retro-orbital plexus, immediately centrifuged at $4^{\circ}C$, and plasma was removed and stored frozen at $-83^{\circ}C$ for later determination of plasma IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Result : 1. LPS I.C.V. Injection increased plasma IL-6 level significantly in a dose-dependent manner compared with normal group(P<0.01). The plasma IL-6 concentration reached a significant maximal level about 1 hr after LPS I.C.V. Injection(P<0.001). LPS I.C.V. Injection increased plasma $TNF-{\alpha}$ level significantly in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05). The plasma $TNF-{\alpha}$ concentration reached a significant maximal level about 1 hr after LPS I.C.V. Injection(P<0.001). 2. Sample A group to which Aconiti Tuber(0.5g/kg) was administered intragastrically 1 hr prior to the stimulation by LPS I.C.V. Injection showed insignificant lower plasma IL-6 level in 1 hr than control group(P<0.0635), and sample B group (Aconiti Tuber 1.0g/kg) showed significant lower plasma IL-6 level in 1 hr than control group(P〈0.05), and sample C group (Aconiti Tuber 3.0g/kg) showed significant lower IL-6 plasma level in 1 hr than control group(P<0.01). 3. sample A group to which Aconiti Tuber(0.5g/kg) was administered intragastrically 1 hr prior to the stimulation by LPS I.C.V. Injection showed insignificant lower plasma $TNF-{\alpha}$ level in 1 hr than control group(P>0.05), and Both sample B(1.0g/kg) and sample C(3.0g/kg) groups showed significant lower $TNF-{\alpha}$ plasma level in 1 hr than control group(P<0.01). These data revealed that Aconiti Tuber might have the anti inflammatory effect by reducing the plasma IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ level in a dose dependent manner in mice LPS I.C.V. Injection.
