Extract of the dried heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L. attenuates collagen-induced arthritis.

To confirm the anti-arthritic effect and explore the potential mechanism of the dried heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L. (HCS) on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats, an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis. CIA was induced in male Wistar rats by intradermal injection of bovine collagen-II in Freund's incomplete adjuvant (IFA). The rats in the onset of arthritis were treated daily with oral administration of an ethanol extract from HCS (EHCS) at different doses (1.2, 2.4 and 3.6g/kg) or olive oil-vehicle for 10 days. Paw swelling, arthritis index, radiographic and histopathologic changes were evaluated to confirm the anti-arthritic effect of EHCS on CIA in rats. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as well as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in blood and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and transcription factor NF-κB p65 in paw cartilage were detected to further study the molecular mechanism of the anti-arthritic effects of EHCS on CIA in rats. In addition, the adverse effects of EHCS on liver and kidney of rats were also evaluated. The results showed that the EHCS markedly attenuated collagen-induced arthritis and reduced the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and PGE2 in serum and the expression of COX-2 and transcription factor NF-κB p65 in paw cartilage of CIA rats. EHCS (3.6g/kg) induced slight hepatotoxicity and body weight loss. These results indicate that EHCS significantly attenuates CIA in rats by decreasing the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and PGE2 in serum and the expression of COX-2 and transcription factor NF-κB in paw cartilage.

Wang YZ ，Sun SQ ，Zhou YB 《-》

The suppressive effects of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fangfeng) chromone extract on rheumatoid arthritis via inhibition of nuclear factor-κB and mitogen activated proteinkinases activation on collagen-induced arthritis model.

Kong X ，Liu C ，Zhang C ，Zhao J ，Wang J ，Wan H ，Zhu H ，Zhang P ，Chen W ，Xiao Y ，Lin N ... -  《-》

Inhibitory effects of the root extract of Litsea cubeba (lour.) pers. on adjuvant arthritis in rats.

The dried root of Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (Family Lauraceae) has long been used as a folk remedy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Dai Ethnopharmacy for the treatment of rheumatic diseases in southwestern China. This study investigated the preventive efficacy of Litsea cubeba root in treating rheumatoid arthritis using Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis (AA) in rat model. Arthritis was induced in male Wistar rats by immunization with CFA. Ethanol extract (EELC) and water extract (WELC) of Litsea cubeba root both at 50mg/kg and 200mg/kg were orally administered from a day after the induction of arthritis. Paw swelling, arthritic score, body weight growth rate, index of thymus and spleen were observed, and the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of inflammatory enzymes like cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase were also measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, histological changes in the ankle joint were analyzed in AA rats. Both EELC and WELC significantly suppressed paw swelling and arthritic score, increased the loss in body weight and decreased the index of thymus. Histopathological improvement in joint architecture was also observed in EELC, WELC-treated AA rats. The expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) were decreased on treatment with EELC and WELC. Furthermore, the overproduction of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were remarkably attenuated in serum of all Litsea cubeba-treated rats, however, IL-10 was markedly increased at doses of 50mg/kg of EELC and WELC. These results indicate that extract of Litsea cubeba root significantly attenuates adjuvant arthritis in rats by decreasing the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and increasing of IL-10 in serum as well as down-regulate the levels of inflammatory enzymes such as COX-2 and 5-LOX. This suggests that Litsea cubeba root might be used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of human arthritis.

Lin B ，Zhang H ，Zhao XX ，Rahman K ，Wang Y ，Ma XQ ，Zheng CJ ，Zhang QY ，Han T ，Qin LP ... -  《-》

Brazilin isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L. inhibits rheumatoid arthritis activity in a type-II collagen induced arthritis mouse model.

Jung EG ，Han KI ，Hwang SG ，Kwon HJ ，Patnaik BB ，Kim YH ，Han MD ... -  《-》

Kirenol exerts a potent anti-arthritic effect in collagen-induced arthritis by modifying the T cells balance.

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by the imbalance of T cells, which leads to increased pro-inflammatory and reduced anti-inflammatory cytokines. Modulating the balance among T cells is crucial for the treatment of RA. Kirenol is a major diterpenoid components of Herba Siegesbeckiae, which has been applied for arthritic therapy for centuries. Since prior research showed Kirenol exhibited anti-inflammatory effect in rats, in this study we have evaluated the effect and mechanism of bioactive Kirenol in a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) on modulation of T cells. After immunization with bovine type II collagen (CII), Wistar rats were orally administered saline (CIA group), 2 mg/kg Kirenol or 2 mg/kg prednisolone daily for 30 days. The severity of arthritis was clinically and histologically assessed. The numbers of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T regulatory cells (Tregs) and IFNγ⁺CD4⁺ and IL4⁺CD4⁺ T cells were determined by flow cytometry, the mRNA expression level of Foxp3 was quantified by RT-PCR, cytokine levels were measured by ELISA and CII-induced cell proliferation was quantified in vitro. Kirenol significantly delayed the occurrence and reduced the disease severity of CIA. Histological analysis confirmed Kirenol suppressed joint inflammation and inhibited cartilage and bone destruction, compared to the CIA group. Kirenol also upregulated the mRNA expression of Foxp3, increased the numbers of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ and IL4⁺CD4⁺ T cells, and reduced the number of IFNγ⁺CD4⁺ T cells. Kirenol reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-17A and IL-6 in synovial fluid and TNF-α, IL-17A and IFN-γ in serum, and increased the serum levels of IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β1. In addition, Kirenol inhibited the ability of CII to induce splenocyte, PBMC and lymph node cell proliferation in vitro, compared to cells from CIA rats. In conclusion, these results suggest that Kirenol may be a potential immunosuppressant for the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Lu Y ，Xiao J ，Wu ZW ，Wang ZM ，Hu J ，Fu HZ ，Chen YY ，Qian RQ ... -  《-》