Soshiho-tang protects LPS-induced acute liver injury by attenuating inflammatory response

Soshiho-tang (SSHT) has traditionally been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. In this experiment, we investigated the protective effect of SSHT on inflammatory liver injury in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-sensitized mice. Male C57BL/6J mice aged 6 weeks were randomly placed in 6 groups (n = 5): normal mice (CTR), LPS-sensitized mice (LPS), LPS-sensitized mice treated with dexamethasone (DEX) and LPS-sensitized mice treated with 0.05, 0.55, and 5.55 g/kg of SSHT (SSHT 0.05, SSHT 0.55, and SSHT 5.55). Various doses of SSHT was given once a day for 7 days. After 2 h of LPS injection, the liver tissue was collected. SSHT pretreatment recovered hemorrhage of liver tissues in LPS-induced acute liver injury. The expressions of MAP Kinase, NF-κB, IκBα, p-IκBα, COX-2, and iNOS protein levels were markedly decreased by SSHT-treated liver tissues. Additionally, SSHT pretreatment significantly regulated the expressions of MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 cytokines. These results suggest the potential of SSHT on the protection of acute liver injury.