Shugan Sanjie Decoction Alleviates Rat Plasma Cell Mastitis by Regulating IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 Pathway and EGFR

Background: Shugan Sanjie Decoction (SGSJD), which includes various Chinese herbs, has a potential therapeutic effect on plasma cell mastitis (PCM). However, the specific mechanism of action is undefined, and will be expounded in this study. Methods: A PCM rat model was established by subcutaneous injection of the water-in-oil emulsion of PCM tissues. Then low dose (0.018 mL/g) and high dose (0.036 mL/g) of SGSJD were administered to model rats. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the rat mammary gland tissues. The expressions of CD138, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in rat mammary gland tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expressions of four genes targeted by SGSJD (IL-6, EGFR, estrogen receptor 1, and nitric oxide synthase 3) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. IL-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway-related protein expressions Results: SGSJD treatment could attenuate the inflammation, weaken the effect of modeling and reduce expressions of CD138, IL-6 and EGFR in mammary gland tissues of PCM model rats. Besides, SGSJD inhibited the activation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and EGFR in PCM model rats. Conclusions: SGSJD suppresses the progression of PCM in rats, and the regulatory mechanism may be related to the regulation of IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway and EGFR.