Yishendaluo decoction attenuates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by modulating CXCR 4 signaling

Yishendaluo decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has become an effective drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the potential mechanism of Yishendaluo decoction in attenuating MS was largely unknown; the aim of present study was to detect the influence of Yishendaluo decoction on CXCR4 signaling in mouse model of experimental autoimmuneencephalomyelitis (EAE). A total of 80 mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal, model, hormone, and Yishendaluo decoction group. The disease incidence, body weight change, and clinical symptoms of EAE mice were monitored. The neuropathology in spinal cord was assessed using hematoxylin-eosin or luxol fast blue staining. The CXCR2 expression and its signaling molecules in spinal cord were examined by western blot. The results showed that Yishendaluo decoction administration significantly suppressed the loss of body weight and attenuated clinical symptoms in EAE mice. In addition, Yishendaluo decoction dramatically attenuated inflammatory infiltration and demyelination in spinal cords of EAE mice. Furthermore, Yishendaluo decoction reduced CXCL12 and CXCR4 expression, down-regulated the expression of STAT1, STAT3 and p65 in spinal cords of EAE mice. These results suggest that Yishendaluo decoction is effective for reducing the clinical severity of EAE mice, which may berelated to its inhibitive ability in CXCR4 signaling via regulation of key signaling molecules of JAK/STAT and NF-κB pathway. Our findings may be beneficial for developing therapeutic and preventive strategies for MS.