Modified Yukmijihwangtang Suppresses the Production of Proinflammatory Cytokines in the Intravesical Hydrochloric Acid-Induced Cystitis Rat Model via the NF-κB Pathway

Abstract

Yukmijihwangtang (YM), a boiled extract of medicinal plants, has been prescribed for patients with kidney dysfunction in Korea; however, the mechanism underlying its therapeutic effects has not been fully elucidated. This study was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects on bladder function by using modified YM (M-YM), which included Ulmi radicis cortex in addition to the six traditional medicinal plants in YM. Bladder irritation of the rats was caused by intravesical instillation of HCl . The animals were divided into six groups: sham group, cystitis-injury group with no treatment, cystitis-injury group with prednisolone treatment (5 mg/kg), and cystitis-injury with M-YM treatment (100, 200 or 500 mg/kg groups). Whole bladders were collected at day eight after injury. Samples were analyzed by histological and immunological examinations. An in vitro study was performed to determine whether M-YM extracts inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and I κ B phosphorylation in a human uroepithelial cell line of T24 cells. Administration of M-YM notably improved bladder histological changes, and suppressed IL-6/TNF α production and I κ B phosphorylation in a rat model of chronic cystitis. M-YM also inhibited LPS-induced NO production and I κ B phosphorylation in T24 cells. This study suggests that administration of M-YM might be an applicable therapeutic traditional medicine for the treatment of interstitial cystitis.