Xi Lei San Attenuates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Rats and TNF-α-Stimulated Colitis in CACO2 Cells: Involvement of the NLRP3 Inflammasome and Autophagy

Figure 4

Xi Lei San inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activity and apoptosis and reduced the levels of ROS and inflammatory cytokines in TNF-α-stimulated CACO2 cells. A cellular model of colitis was constructed by inducing CACO2 cells with TNF-α, and groups of colitis model cells were then treated with low or high doses of Xi Lei San, respectively. (a) NLRP3, IL-18, IL-33, and IL-1β levels in the CACO2 cells were examined by western blotting. (b) A statistical analysis of western blotting results was performed based on grayscales. (c) The effect of Xi Lei San on the apoptosis of TNF-α-induced CACO2 cells was examined by flow cytometry. (d) The ROS levels in each group of CACO2 cells were also examined by flow cytometry. (e) ELISA was performed to monitor IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33 levels. vs. the control group; ^# and ^## vs. the TNF-α group.

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