Galangin Ameliorates Inflammatory Changes in Pancreas – A Study in Rats Administered Ethanol and Cerulein

The study was conducted to investigate whether galangin(GA), a natural flavonoid of the rhizome Alpinia galanga modulates the components of NLRP3 inflammasome, a multi protein complex which mediates inflammation in rats subjected to experimental pancreatitis by ethanol(EtOH) and cerulein administration. For the study, adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 and 2 served as control and received normal diet for 5 weeks. Group 3 and 4 received an ethanol containing isocaloric diet and cerulein (20μg/kg body wt.) intraperitonially for the last 3 weeks of the experimental period. In addition, group 2 and 4 were administered 100μg/kg body wt. of galangin in corn oil orally by intragastric intubation for the last 3 weeks of the experimental period. The mRNA expression of the NLRP3 components apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), pyrin (PYD), and caspase-recruitment (CARD) domains, caspase-1 and the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 were evaluated by real time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) technique. Histopathological examination of pancreatic tissue was also carried out. A significant increase in the mRNA expression of ASC-CARD, ASC-PYD, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 were observed in EtOH and cerulein treated rats when compared to control rats. The mRNA expression of these genes were substantially downsized in the galangin supplemented (group 4) rats. The results were supported by histological observations. The anti inflammatory effect of galangin might be due to its modulating effect on the interaction of ASC-CARD and ASC-PYD domains which activate caspase-1 to promote proinflammatory cytokines activity. Also the observations suggest that galangin downregulates the proinflammatory cytokine production thereby prevents inflammation and minimizes tissue damage.