Effect of red peony root decoction on rats with severe acute pancreatitis

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of red peony root decoction (RPRD) on model rats with acute pancreatitis (AP),and the effect on the expression of NF-κB,TNF-α and IL-6.Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:normal control group (group A),AP model groups (group B,24 h; group C,72 h) and RPRD treatment groups (group D,24 h; group E,72 h).There were 8 rats in each group.The AP models were induced by intraperitoneally injecting with L-arginine.After the model was established,rats of group B and group C were treated with intra-gastric instillation of NS,and rats in group D and group E with RPRD.At 24 and 72 hours after induction of AP,rats in each group were sacrificed and blood samples were taken for the measurement of serum amylase,TNF-α and IL-6.The expression of NF-κB p65 protein in the pancreas were detected by Western Blot,and pathological status of the pancreas were analyzed.Results The serum amylase level in group B and group D was significantly higher than that in group A (P＜0.05),and the level in group D was obviously lower than that in group B (P＜0.05).The serum amylase level in group C and group E was decreased,and there was no difference between group A (P＞0.05).The pathological severity and pathological scores of the pancreas in group D and group E were more lighter than those in group B and group C (P＜0.05).The level of serum TNF-α and IL-6 was significantly decreased in RPRD treatment groups (P＜0.05),group D compared with group B,[ (12.54±2.12)pg/ml,(552.88±81.27)pg/ml] vs.[ (20.53±4.16)pg/ml,(1255.75± 118.82)pg/ml]; group E compared with group C,[ (11.01 ±2.02)pg/ml,(582.87± 88.86) pg/ml] vs [ (23.85 ± 5.59) pg/ml,(1366.33 ± 163.16) pg/ml].The expression levels of NF-κBp65 protein in the pancreas of group D and group E were significantly lighter than those in group C at both time points (group D compared with group B,(0.07±0.055) vs (0.71 ±0.029),P＜0.05; group E compared with group C,(0.15±0.038) vs (0.65±0.026).Conclusion RPRD may alleviate the pathologic changes in AP Key words: Acute pancreatitis; Red peony root decoction (RPRD