RNA-seq based transcriptome analysis of murine macrophages RAW264.7 treated with multi-herbal extracts reveals immunomodulatory potential and mechanism

• Published in: Food and agricultural immunology 2023-12, Vol.34 (1), p.21-35
• Main Authors: Jin, Meng-Yuan, Chen, Xin, Wu, Qin, Guo, Zhi-Jian, Zhang, Rui, Jiang, Yi-Fan, Li, Xiang, Zhang, Li-da, Wang, Yu-Liang, Zhou, Xuan-Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active compounds; Cell proliferation; Chemical compounds; Herbal medicine; Immune response; Immune system; Immunomodulation; immunomodulatory activity; Inflammation; Macrophages; MAP kinase; multi-herbal extracts; Nitric-oxide synthase; Phosphorylation; Plant extracts; RNA-seq; Signal transduction; signalling pathways; Solid phase methods; Traditional Chinese medicine; Transcriptomes; Transforming growth factor-b; Tumor necrosis factor-α
• ISSN: 0954-0105; 1465-3443
• DOI: 10.1080/09540105.2023.2192443

Shenling Baizhu Powder is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that has been used for thousands of years to invigorate spleen, nourish stomach and regulate immune function. The multi-herbal extracts, an improved formular from Shenling Baizhu Powder, were used in our study to investigate its immune-enhancing effects and underling mechanisms. Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and SPME-GC-MS analysis, 106 chemical compounds were identified from the extracts. In vitro assays indicated that the extracts could promote cell proliferation and NO secretion of RAW264.7 cells. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR showed that RAW264.7 cells treated with extracts increased the expression of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, iNOS, TNF-α, and TGF-β. Western-Blot revealed that the extracts could significantly enhance ERK phosphorylation level, and slightly increased JNK and p38 phosphorylation levels. These data suggest that multi-herbal extracts have a potential of regulating immune response via the JNK/p38/ERK signalling of MAPK pathways in RAW264.7 cells.