Pen Yan Jing Tablets Alleviates Pelvic Inflammatory Disease by Inhibiting Akt/NF-κB Pathway

Purpose: Pen Yan Jing tablets (PYJ), a Chinese patent medicine, has being used for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) effectively. This study was designed to explore the underlying mechanisms of PYJ for treating PID. Methods: A rat model of PID was established by mixed bacteria liquid plus mechanical damage. After PYJ treatment, the morphology of uteri and extent of pelvic adhesion were observed. The pathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The protein expressions of CD68, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were quantitated by immunohistochemistry. A cell model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages was performed. The cell proliferation and NO level were measured by CCK-8 and Griess method, respectively. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were detected by ELISA. The protein kinase B (Akt)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway-related protein expressions were assayed by western blot or immunofluorescence. Results: PYJ alleviated pelvic adhesion and inflammatory lesions of uteri in PID rats. PYJ down-regulated protein expressions of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1, COX-2, p-Akt, p-IκB kinaseα/β (p-IKKα/β), p-IκBα, p65, and p-p65 in uteri of PID rats. Moreover, PYJ medicated serum inhibited abnormal cell proliferation, NO release, levels of TNF-α and IL-6, nuclear translocation of p65, and protein expressions of p-Akt, p-p65 and p-IκBα in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusions: Taken together, PYJ may alleviates PID through inhibiting Akt/NF-κB pathway.