Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of aqueous extract of Rosa centifolia in experimental rat models.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic activity of Rosa centifolia aqueous extract (RC) in a carrageenan-induced paw edema model and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Anti-inflammatory activity of RC was evaluated using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats. Arthritis was induced in rats by sub-plantar administration of CFA. Joint size was measured at regular intervals by using a micrometer screw gauge. Serum and ankle joints of rats immunized with CFA were collected and subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for estimation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α level and dot blot for secretory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. An acute and 28-day oral toxicity study was carried out to evaluate the safety of the test drug. Pre-treatment with RC produced a dose-dependent reduction in carrageenan-induced paw edema and CFA-induced arthritis models and was effective as indomethacin. RC also inhibited the delayed increase in joint diameter as seen in control and indomethacin-treated animals in CFA-induced arthritis. The expression of proinflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β was also found to be less in the RC-treated group as compared to controls. Based on these results, it was suggested that Rosa centifolia could be considered as a potential anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agent.

Kumar R ，Nair V ，Gupta YK ，Singh S ... -  《-》

Therapeutic effects of standardized Vitex negundo seeds extract on complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis in rats.

The seeds of Vitex negundo L. (Verbenaceae) have been commonly used as a folk remedy for the treatment of rheumatism and joint inflammation in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of the extract of V. negundo seeds (EVNS) using Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis (AA) in rat model. As a result, EVNS, with abundant phenylnaphthalene-type lignans, significantly inhibited the paw edema, decreased the arthritis score and spleen index, and reversed the weight loss of CFA-injected rats. Histopathological studies showed a marked decrease of synovial inflammatory infiltration and synovial lining hyperplasia in the joints of EVNS-treated animals. The remarkable decrement of serum inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) were observed in EVNS-treated rats, whereas, IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was found to be significantly increased by EVNS. The expressions of COX-2 and 5-LOX in PBMC were also inhibited by administration of EVNS. Our results demonstrated that V. negundo seeds possessed potential therapeutic effect on adjuvant induced arthritis in rats by decreasing the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and increasing that of IL-10 in serum as well as down-regulating the levels of COX-2 and 5-LOX, and therefore may be an effective cure for the treatment of human rheumatoid arthritis.

Zheng CJ ，Zhao XX ，Ai HW ，Lin B ，Han T ，Jiang YP ，Xing X ，Qin LP ... -  《-》

Anti-inflammatory activity of green versus black tea aqueous extract in a rat model of human rheumatoid arthritis.

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in tea (Camellia sinensis) as a protective agent against inflammatory diseases. Here, we evaluated/compared the anti-inflammatory activity of two different doses (0.5 and 1.0 g/kg body weight) of green tea aqueous extract (GTE, rich in catechins) and black tea aqueous extract (BTE, rich in theaflavins and thearubigins) in rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). Adjuvant-induced arthritis rat model received orally/daily distilled water as vehicle, indomethacin (1.0 mg/kg body weight; a non-steroidal/anti-inflammatory drug), or tea aqueous extracts (for 28 or 14 consecutive days starting from day 0 or 14 of arthritis induction, respectively). The present study showed that only the high dose of GTE (from day 0) significantly alleviated (P < 0.05-0.001) all complications shown in arthritic rats, including synovial joint inflammation, elevation in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood leukocytosis (due to lymphocytosis and neutrocytosis), and changes in weight/cellularity of lymphoid organs. The anti-arthritic activity of the high dose of GTE (from day 0) was comparable (P > 0.05) with that of indomethacin (12.9-53.8 vs. 9.5-48.4%, respectively) and mediated by significantly decreasing and down-regulating (P < 0.001) the systemic production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the expression of chemokine receptor-5 in synovial tissues, respectively. Moreover, the anti-arthritic activity of tea aqueous extracts was in the following order: high dose of GTE > low dose of GTE ≥ high dose of BTE > low dose of BTE. The present study proved the anti-inflammatory activity of GTE over BTE and equal to that of indomethacin in AIA rat model.

Ramadan G ，El-Beih NM ，Talaat RM ，Abd El-Ghffar EA ... -  《-》

Evaluation of the effect of andrographolide and methotrexate combined therapy in complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis with reduced hepatotoxicity.

Li F ，Li H ，Luo S ，Ran Y ，Xie X ，Wang Y ，Zheng M ，Wang M ，Zhao Z ，Li X ... -  《-》

Amelioration of adjuvant induced arthritis in Sprague Dawley rats through modulation of inflammatory mediators by Ribes alpestre Decne.

Ribes alpestre Decne has been commonly used in the treatment of joint complaints. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antiarthritic potential of ethanolic extract and fractions of Ribes alpestre and to explore its probable mechanism of action. Complete Freunds adjuvant induced arthritis in Sprague Dawley rats was used to assess antiarthritic activity of aqueous ethanol extract, butanol and aqueous fractions at 200 mg/kg oral dose for 28 days. Paw volume and diameter, arthritic index, body weight, hematological and biochemical parameters, radiographic and histological analysis of ankle joints were carried out. An array of pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, NF-Kβ, TNF-α, COX-2, IL-4, IL-10 and PGE2) were estimated by RT-PCR and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH and reducing power assays. Qualitative phytochemical screening, total phenolic and flavonoid content and HPLC analysis of aqueous fraction of Ribes alpestre were also carried out. Significant (p < 0.001) reduction in paw volume and thickness and arthritic score by aqueous ethanolic extract and its fractions has been found. Aqueous ethanolic extract and fractions in particular aqueous fraction considerably prevented decrease in body weight, alterations in hematological parameters. Radiographic and histological examination revealed no significant architectural changes in joints of treated rats. Significant (p < 0.05-0.001) down regulation of pro-inflammatory genes IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, PGE2 and NF-Kβ alongwith noteworthy increase in levels of IL-4 and IL-10 was recorded among treated animals. Aqueous ethanol extract and its fractions demonstrated notable and concentration dependent (50-6400 μg/ml) antioxidant potential. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of active fraction (aqueous) displayed presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and glycosides. Besides total phenolic and flavonoid contents has been found to be 179.3 mg GAE/ml and 389.40 μg QE/ml in aqueous fraction of Ribes alpestre respectively. HPLC profile demonstrated presence of quercitin, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid and cinamic acid in aqueous fraction. Present communication suggests Ribes alpestre a potent antiarthritic therapy by ameliorating adjuvant arthritis in rats by downregulating proinflammatory mediators with up regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Hassan UH ，Alamgeer ，Shahzad M ，Shabbir A ，Jahan S ，Saleem M ，Bukhari IA ，Assiri AM ... -  《-》