Soyeom-Jetong mixture attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammation

Soyeom-Jetong (SJ) is a traditional East Asian polyherbal formulation composed of Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal, and Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang, traditionally used for treating inflammatory disorders. Given the central role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in inflammation-related pathologies, SJ is of particular interest as a potential anti-inflammatory modulator. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of SJ in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced zebrafish model and determine its regulatory effects on the NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro.

Inflammation was induced in zebrafish embryos via LPS exposure and tail amputation. The anti-inflammatory effects of SJ were assessed through Sudan Black B staining and whole-mount in situ hybridization to detect neutrophil infiltration. In vitro assays were performed to investigate the regulatory effects of SJ on NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

SJ significantly reduced neutrophil accumulation in the caudal hematopoietic tissue of LPS-exposed zebrafish and the injury site of zebrafish embryos with amputated tails. It also modulated inflammatory gene expression, including NLRP3 and proinflammatory cytokines. In vitro, SJ suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

SJ exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by modulating neutrophil inflammation and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vitro. These findings provide experimental support for the pharmacological activity of SJ and suggest its potential as an anti-inflammatory candidate for further investigation.