Abstract: AIM: To investigate the protective effects of artemisinin on mice and its inhibition effects on the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines challenged with CpG DNA.METHODS: A total of 60 mice of Kunming species were randomly divided into six groups.Animals received an intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine (D-Gal, 600 mg°kg^-1)1 hour prior to intravenous injection of CpG DNA.CpG DNA group received CpG DNA at 4 mg°kg^-1 via caudal vein, artemisinin group were orally administered artemisinin at 200 mg°kg^-1, CpG DNA plus artemisinin group first received artemisinin at 50, 100, and 200 mg°kg^-1, respectively, then received CpG DNA at 4 mg°kg^-1, and the control group received the saline only.The mortality was observed within seven days after injection.RAW 264.7 cell lines were cultivated in vitro and stimulated by CpG DNA to release TNF-α and IL-6, then various concentrations of artemisinin were administrated to observe its dose-dependent inhibitory effect, and artemisinin were also added at different time to observe the time-dependent effect.Contents of cytokines in culture supernatant were detected by ELISA.RESULTS: Different concentrations of artemisinin decreased the death of mice challenged with CpG DNA, and the mortality were dropped from 80% to 10% (P<0.01). 20 g°ml-1 artemisinin significantly inhibited the release of TNF-αand IL-6 from RAW 264.7 induced by CpG DNA.The cytokines was markedly inhibited when artemisinin was added first (P<0.01).And the release of TNF-αand IL-6 were obviously suppressed if the cells were stimulated by CpG DNA prior to artemisin (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Atemisinin has a protective effect on mice challenged with CpG DNA, and it can obviously inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines released from RAW 264.7 in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Key words: artemisinin, SIRS, CpG DNA, pro-inflammatory cytokines, LPS