Shuangshi Tonglin capsule improves chronic prostatitis through the SIRT-1/AMPK and MAPK signalling pathways

Qing Liu; Xinyue Zhang; Peng Mao; Ziqiang Wang; Qian Mao; Chuan Wang; Jiping Liu; Xingmei Zhu; Baoan Wang; Hao Wei

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21745

Shuangshi Tonglin capsule improves chronic prostatitis through the SIRT-1/AMPK and MAPK signalling pathways

Heliyon. 2023 Nov 4;9(11):e21745. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21745. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Authors

Qing Liu¹, Xinyue Zhang¹, Peng Mao², Ziqiang Wang¹, Qian Mao¹, Chuan Wang¹, Jiping Liu¹, Xingmei Zhu¹, Baoan Wang², Hao Wei¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, 712046, Shaanxi, China.
² Shaanxi Momentum Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Xianyang, 712000, Shaanxi, China.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the effects of the Shuangshi Tonglin (SSTL) capsule on CP/CPPS and reveal the therapeutic mechanisms.

Methods: A CP/CPPS rat-model group received an intraprostatic injection of CFA. SSTL capsule were administered daily by oral gavage at doses of 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 g/kg for 28 days. Pain threshold tests were performed, and prostate and blood samples were collected. We performed histological analysis of the prostate tissue and immunohistochemical analysis of TNF-α and COX-2. Measure the TNF-α levels, detect antioxidant levels in serum and prostate tissue, and evaluate the expression of proteins with the AMPK/SIRT-1 and MAPK signalling pathways.

Results: After SSTL capsule treatment, all animals exhibited an increased mechanical pain threshold in the lower abdomen, decreased inflammation in the stroma, and reduced histological structural damage. Inflammation was reduced through the observed decrease in the levels of various inflammatory factors, as well as in the increase of the levels of MDA, p-AMPK, and SIRT-1. The suppression of IKKβ, p-P38, p-ERK and p-JNK was also observed.

Conclusions: SSTL capsule treatment decreased inflammation in the stroma and reduced histological structural damage. It improved CP/CPPS symptoms by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. Our study indicates that the SSTL capsule is an effective treatment for prostatitis.

Keywords: AMPK/SIRT-1; Chronic prostatitis; Inflammation; MAPK; Oxidative stress; Shuangshi Tonglin capsule.