The effect of Jian Gan powder on the proliferation, migration and polarization of macrophages and relative mechanism

Abstract

Context

Jian Gan powder (JGP) is a Chinese medicine compound comprised ginseng, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Radix Astragali, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Yujin, Rhizoma Cyperi, Fructus aurantii, Sophora flavescens, Yinchen, Bupleurum and licorice.

Objective

This study explored the inhibitory effects, polarization and potential mechanisms associated with JGP in macrophages.

Materials and methods

RAW264.7 cells were randomly divided into six groups for 24 h: control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), overexpression, 1% JGP, 2% JGP, 4% JGP, 8% JGP and 16% JGP. The effects of JGP on RAW264.7 cell proliferation were assessed using colony formation assays and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays. The Transwell assay was used to evaluate its impact on RAW264.7 cell migration. Moreover, we analysed the interleukin-6 (IL-6)/signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 (IL-6/STAT3) signaling pathway using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. Furthermore, we examined the M1/M2 polarization levels.

Results

Unlike LPS stimulation, JGP serum treatment markedly suppressed macrophage proliferation and migration capacity, while STAT3 overexpression enhanced RAW264.7 cell proliferation and migration. JGP inhibited the proliferation and migration of RAW264.7 cells by attenuating the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. Furthermore, it inhibited macrophage M1 polarization, promoting M2 polarization.

Discussion and conclusions

JGP effectively suppressed the cellular function of RAW264.7 cells by down-regulating the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and modulating macrophage M1/M2 polarization. These findings provide valuable theoretical and experimental basis for considering the potential clinical application of JGP in the treatment of immune-mediated liver injury in clinical practice.

Keywords:

• JGP
• RAW264.7
• STAT3
• M1/M2 polarization

Authors’ contributions

KL performed the experiments, authored, reviewed the article drafts and approved the final draft. XZ and JZ conceived and designed the experiments wrote or reviewed drafts of the article, and approved the final draft. ZY and YJ analysed the data, prepared figures and/or tables and approved the final draft. FG and FZ analysed the data, prepared figures and/or tables, authored or reviewed article drafts and approved the final draft.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Science and Technology Program of Nantong City, Jiangsu Province (MSZ20192), Scientific Research Project of Nantong Municipal Health Commission (QA2020048, MS2022102), The Medical Research Project of Jiangsu Provincial Health Commission (M2022024) and Natural Science Foundation of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. XZR2020084).