Antipyretic Effect on LPS-Induced Pyrexia in Rats by Bupleurum Chinense

Abstract

Bupleurum chinense is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been investigated for its potential therapeutic effects, including its antipyretic properties. Kang and colleagues focused on the antipyretic effect of Bupleurum chinense in rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pyrexia and found that it exerted a mild antipyretic effect. Pyrexia refers to an elevated body temperature or fever. LPS, a component of the cell wall of certain bacteria, is commonly used to induce an inflammatory response and fever in experimental animal models. The study investigated the potential antipyretic effect of Bupleurum chinense in LPS-induced pyrexia rats. TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the regulation of immune responses. In the study, Bupleurum chinense was found to inhibit the production of TNF-α in the peripheral tissues of LPS-induced pyrexia rats. The inhibition of peripheral TNF-α production by Bupleurum chinense resulted in a mild antipyretic effect, reducing the elevated body temperature in the LPS-induced pyrexia rats. The specific mechanisms by which Bupleurum chinense inhibits peripheral TNF-α production were not described in the study. However, the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of Bupleurum chinense compounds may contribute to this effect. J Ethnopharmacol. 2023 Jun 28;310:116375.  doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116375.