Traditional Herbal Medicine, Rikkunshito, Induces HSP60 and Enhances Cytoprotection of Small Intestinal Mucosal Cells as a Nontoxic Chaperone Inducer

Abstract EN

Increasing incidence of small intestinal ulcers associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has become a topic with recent advances of endoscopic technology.

However, the pathogenesis and therapy are not fully understood.

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of Rikkunshito (TJ-43), a traditional herbal medicine, on expression of HSP60 and cytoprotective ability in small intestinal cell line (IEC-6).

Effect of TJ-43 on HSP60 expression in IEC-6 cells was evaluated by immunoblot analysis.

The effect of TJ-43 on cytoprotective abilities of IEC-6 cells against hydrogen peroxide or indomethacin was studied by MTT assay, LDH-release assay, caspase-8 activity, and TUNEL.

HSP60 was significantly induced by TJ-43.

Cell necrosis and apoptosis were significantly suppressed in IEC-6 cells pretreated by TJ-43 with overexpression of HSP60.

Our results suggested that HSP60 induced by TJ-43 might play an important role in protecting small intestinal epithelial cells from apoptosis and necrosis in vitro.