Abstract
PURPOSE: Recent studies have reported the anti-inflammatory effect of Sinomenium acutum. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of sinomenine on endotoxin-induced uveitis in a rat model. METHODS: Endotoxin-induced uveitis was induced in rat by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immunization. Sinomenine (50mg/kg and 100mg/kg) was administered at 30 minutes before, 6 hours and 12 hours after LPS immunization. Clinical and histological severity was evaluated. Protein concentration and levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and prostaglandin (PG)-E2 in aqueous humor were measured. Expression of activated Nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 in ciliary body was also observed. RESULTS: Clinical and histological severities were significantly milder in sinomenine-treated rat than in controls (P < 0.001). Sinomenine suppressed protein leakage and down-regulated the production of TNF-α and PG-E2 in a dose-dependent manner. Sinomenine treatment suppressed the translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit into the nuclei. CONCLUSION: Systemic administration of sinomenine suppressed the inflammation of ocular tissues. These findings suggest that sinomenine could be a novel therapeutic agent for the control of endogenous ocular inflammatory disease.