Chronic prostatitis (CNP) is a prevalent inflammatory disorder among men. The Xialiqi capsule has been reported to alleviate the clinical symptoms of CNP patients, which may be related to its anti-inflammatory effect; yet, its exact mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, human normal prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-2 cells) were categorized into a control group, a model group, an inhibitor group, along with high, medium, and low drug-containing serum groups (5%, 10%, and 15%, respectively). With the exception of the control group, cell pyroptosis models were created by stimulating with lipopolysaccharide (100 ng/mL) and adenosine triphosphate (5 mM). Subsequently, drug-containing serum and the NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inhibitor (MCC950) were utilized to intervene with the model cells according to their respective groups. Post-administration of MCC950 and drug-containing serum, an improvement in cell viability was noted in the inhibitor group and medium-high dosage groups (by 20.5%, 38.2%, and 73.2%). Transmission electron microscopy indicated a reduction in the features characteristic of cell pyroptosis. Levels of nitric oxide, interleukin-18 (IL-18), and tumor necrosis factor-α in the cellular supernatant decreased significantly (60.7%, 21.6%, 33.7%, 41.8%; 49.2%, 54.8%, 53.5%, 69.3%; 31.3%, 44.4%, 38.1%, 51.2%). Immunofluorescence showed reduced fluorescence intensity of NLRP3 and Cysteine aspartate protease-1 (Caspase-1) proteins, and Western Blot analysis revealed a significant decline in the expression of NLRP3, pro-Caspase-1, and gasdermin D (20.5%, 45.9%, 58.1%, 74.8%; 23.2%, 36.7%, 51.6%, 51.9%; 15.4%, 28.6%, 33.1%, 39.2%). In vitro experiments suggest that the Xialiqi capsule may treat CNP by regulating prostate epithelial cell pyroptosis and reducing inflammatory factor release via inhibiting the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway. This study offers a novel approach for future CNP treatment with traditional Chinese medicine preparations, deserving further promotion.
American journal of men's health. 2025 Mar 24 [Epub]
Zhiming Hong, Zilong Chen, Wenshuo Chen, Junfeng Qiu, Shengjie Wang, Yi Wei, Jun Guo
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Xiyuan Hospital, Beijing, China., Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China., Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.