Epimedin B Through Enhancing NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation To Induces Idiosyncratic Hepatotoxicity
Abstract Background: The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various human diseases, also idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (IDILI). Epimedii Folium (EF) is commonly used for treating bone fractures, joint diseases and some chronic illness, but the EF also could induce IDILI. Several studies have confirmed that EF may induce liver injury by upregulating the activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome. However, the major active constituents of EF have not been well-studied. Results: In the present study, we showed that epimedin B, a major active ingredient of EF, induced the development of IDILI by promoting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Synergistic induction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species was a crucial contributor to the promoting effect of epimedin B observed on nigericin- or ATP-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Importantly, epimedin B induced liver injury in the LPS-mediated susceptibility mouse model of IDILI,while specifical NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 pretreatment completely abrogated the Caspase-1 activation and IL-1β secretion then couldn't induce liver injury. Conclusions: Epimedin B specifically facilitated nigericin- or ATP-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the development of IDILI, which is responsible for EF-induced liver injury. These findings suggest that epimedin B is one of the key constituents of liver injury caused by EF,the content of epimedin B in EF may be a risk factor for IDILI, especially in patients with diseases related to nigericin- or ATP-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation.