The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology

The Korean Society of Pharmacology (대한약리학회)
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Shikonin ameliorates salivary gland damage and inflammation in a mouse model of Sjögren's syndrome by modulating MAPK signaling pathway

  • Wenjing Guo (Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College) ;
  • Xin Wang (Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College) ;
  • Chao Sun (Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College) ;
  • Jian Wang (Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College) ;
  • Tao Wang (Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College)
  • Received : 2023.01.04
  • Accepted : 2023.03.29
  • Published : 2023.07.01
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Abstract

Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease that involves exocrine glands. Shikonin is extracted from comfrey, which is conventionally used as an anti-tumor, antibacterial, and antiviral drug in China. However, the application of Shikonin in SS remains unreported. This study aimed to verify the potential functions of Shikonin in SS progression. Firstly, non-obese diabetic mice were used as the SS mouse model, with C57BL/6 mice serving as the healthy control. It was demonstrated that the salivary gland damage and inflammation were aggravated in the SS mouse model. Shikonin improved salivary gland function decline and injury in the SS mouse model. Moreover, Shikonin reduced inflammatory cytokines and immune infiltration in the SS mouse model. Further experiments discovered that Shikonin attenuated the MAPK signaling pathway in the SS mouse model. Lastly, inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway combined with Shikonin treatment further alleviated the symptoms of SS. In conclusion, Shikonin ameliorated salivary gland damage and inflammation in a mouse model of SS by modulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Our findings indicate that Shikonin may be a useful drug for SS treatment.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Key project of Natural Science Foundation of Bengbu Medical College (Grant No. 2021byzd107).

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