Embelin Reduces Systemic Inflammation and Ameliorates Organ Injuries in Septic Rats Through Downregulating STAT3 and NF-κB Pathways

Abstract

Current evidence shows that the majority of the damage induced during sepsis is pursuant to induction and overproduction of endogenous cytokines. Embelin has been reported to suppress cytokine expressions in inflammatory disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of embelin on cecal and ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced rat sepsis. Single-dose administration of embelin 1h after surgery significantly improved survival of rats with CLP-induced sepsis. In addition, embelin treatment reduced the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 and decreased organ inflammation and injuries. Moreover, embelin suppressed the activation of p65 subunit of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3). Collectively, these results indicated that embelin ameliorates sepsis in rats through suppressing STAT3 and NF-κB pathways.