Effect of Xuebijing Injection on Extracellular Release of HMGB1 Induced by Endotoxin

Objective To investigate the effect of Xuebijing injection on release of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in endotoxin-induced cells. Methods HMGB1 concentration and mRNA expression were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and RT-PCR, respectively. The effects of Xuebijing injection with 2, 10 and 50 mg/ml on HMGB 1 concentration in the culture medium of 200 ng/ml lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells and BRL-3A hepatocytes, and HMGB1 mRNA expression in lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages were observed. Results 50 mg/ml Xuebijing injection significantly decreased HMGB1 concentration in the culture medium of lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages and hepatocytes(P< 0.01), and inhibited HMGB1 mRNA expression in macrophages. Conclusion Xuebijing injection inhibits endotoxin-induced release of HMGB1. Key words: HMGB1 protein;  XueBiJing;  Macrophages;  Hepatocytes;  Endotoxins