Abstract
Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Coptidis Rhizoma on the plasma IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ level in mice 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 individual Experimental groups. In the Normal group only saline was administered intragastrically, and in the Control group LPS was injected intracerebroventricularly 1 hr after intragastric administration of saline. In the Experimental groups Coptidis Rhizoma(0.5g/kg, 1.0g/kg, 3.0g/kg) was administered intragastrically to mice 1 hr prior to LPS (100ng/mouse) I.C.V. Injection. To measure the plasma IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ level of mice, their blood samples were collected from retro-orbital venous 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(100ng/mouse) I.C.V. Injection.(P<0.001) 2. Both the 0.5g/kg(Sample A) and 1.0g/kg(Sample B) groups to which Coptidis Rhizoma was administered intragastrically 1 hr prior to LPS(100ng/mouse) I.C.V. Injection showed insignificant lower plama IL-6 level in 1 hr than Control group(P>0.05), and 3.0g/kg group(Sample C) conversely showed higher plama IL-6 level than Control group. 3. LPS I.C.V. Injection increased plasma $TNF-{\alpha}$ level significantly in a dose-dependent manner compared with Normal group.(P<0.05) The plasma $TNF-{\alpha}$ concentration reached a significant maximal level about 1 hr after LPS(100ng/mouse) I.C.V. Injection.(P<0.001) 4. All Sample groups(0.5g/kg, 1.0g/kg, and 3.0g/kg) to which Coptidis Rhizoma was administered intragastrically with each constituent-dose 1 hr prior to LPS(100ng/mouse) I.C.V. Injection showed significant lower $TNF-{\alpha}$ plama level in 1 hr than Control group.(P<0.001) These data revealed that Coptidis Rhizoma might have anti inflammatory effect by reducing the plasma $TNF-{\alpha}$ level in a dose dependent manner in mice LPS I.C.V. Injection.