Suppressive effects of a herbal formula, TBL-1, on type II collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1J mice

Antiarthritic Activity and Inflammatory Mediators Modulation Effect of Traditional Ajmodadi Churna on Arthritis Experimental Model

Objectives

The study was designed to evaluate anti-arthritic activity of Ajmodadi Churna (AC) and its effect on Complete freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in Wistar rats.

Methods

Arthritis was induced by injecting 0.2 mL CFA into sub plantar surface of left hind paw. Test sample AC-1 and AC-2, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively was given to the animals for 21 consecutive days. The increase in swelling was observed after induction of arthritis. The paw edema was measured on 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 day using Vernier calliper after the induction of arthritis. The collected blood samples further used for the estimation of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR), and hemoglobin (Hb), using hematology analyzer. Serum concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α were also measured using rat ELISA kits.

Results

Results showed that a significant reduction in paw edema was observed in AC-2 treated rats. The paw edema was restored on day 21 was 4.48 mm for AC-2, which is near to the control group. The arthritis score in treated rats was found to be considerably lower than in the control group i.e. 0.83 for AC-2 and 1.50 for AC-1. A decrease in levels of RBC and hemoglobin were observed in arthritic rats. Inflammation was significantly reduced and serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were lowered after treatment with the test drug.

Conclusion

It can be concluded from the study that AC possess significant anti-arthritic activity. Furthermore, this condition was linked to a reduction in abnormal humoral immune responses.

Inhibitory effects of a traditional Chinese herbal formula TBL-II on type II collagen-induced arthritis in mice

AIM OF THE STUDY

TBL-II is the water extract of an anti-arthritic Chinese herbal formula Tongbiling (TBL), which has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for many years. We herein aimed to confirm its anti-arthritic effect and explore the potential mechanism of action on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four weeks after the first collagen immunization, mice were treated with TBL-II orally at a lower dose of 100mg/kg/d and higher dose of 300 mg/kg/d for 2 or 8 weeks. The severity of arthritis was evaluated by symptoms, radiological scores and histological assessment. Levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα and IgG2a type anti-collagen II (CII) antibody in serum were measured by ELISA. Competitive RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis were used to investigate MMP-2, -3, -9 mRNA and protein expression.

RESULTS

Our results revealed treatment with higher dose of TBL-II for 2 weeks attenuated significantly acute inflammation, and decreased the amounts of IL-1β and TNFα in serum; treatment for 8 weeks could obviously suppress chronic inflammation, ameliorate cartilage and bone destruction, and reduce the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -3, -9 mRNA and protein expression in joints. The levels of IgG2a type anti-CII antibody in serum were significantly reduced by treatment with higher dose of TBL-II for either 2 or 8 weeks. In contrast, treatment with lower dose of TBL-II for 8 weeks had no effect on articular destruction.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that TBL-II at higher dose not only ameliorated symptoms but also modified disease of CIA. TBL-II would be a potent candidate as a novel botanical drug for further investigation.

Pathophysiological role of mast cells in collagen-induced arthritis: study with a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, montelukast

Our previous study showed that the number of mast cells was increased in the inflamed paws of collagen-induced arthritis in mice, and treatment with a mast cell-stabilizing compound effectively suppressed the development of collagen-induced arthritis. A recent in vitro study showed that mast cells express cysteinyl leukotriene type 1 receptor, and that a cysteinyl leukotriene type 1 receptor antagonist inhibits the production of TNF-alpha by mast cells. To further investigate the role of mast cells in vivo, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of a cysteinyl leukotriene type 1 receptor antagonist, montelukast, on the development of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Montelukast (10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle was orally administered to mice for 12 weeks, starting 6 weeks after immunization with bovine type II collagen. Treatment with montelukast significantly reduced clinical scores and X-ray scores of collagen-induced arthritis, and decreased the number of mast cells in the inflamed paws of collagen-induced arthritic mice. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that mast cells in the inflamed synovium were one of the major cells producing TNF-alpha and that the number of TNF-alpha positive mast cells was significantly reduced by treatment with montelukast. Furthermore, TNF-alpha and SCF mRNA levels in the paws of collagen-induced arthritic mice were markedly decreased by montelukast treatment. Montelukast may lead to a beneficial therapeutic effect by inhibiting TNF-alpha production by mast cells.

Effects of selective iNOS inhibition on type II collagen-induced arthritis in mice

Nitric oxide as well as prostaglandins has been reported to play an important role in inflammatory diseases including arthritis. In the present study, the effects of iNOS inhibition on development of disease were examined in type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in male DBA/1J mice. From 4 weeks after the first immunization with bovine type II collagen, 1400W (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.), a selective iNOS inhibitor, indomethacin (1 mg/kg/day, p.o.), a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, or 1400W + indomethacin was administered for 8 weeks. Immunization with type II collagen evoked arthritic inflammation of paws and bone destruction accompanied by increases in urinary nitrite/nitrate (NOx) excretion, plasma NOx and PGE2 levels. Administration of 1400W reduced urinary NOx excretion and increased plasma PGE2 levels, while it had no effect on arthritic inflammation or bone destruction. Indomethacin slightly reduced the inflammatory signs and bone destruction with marked reduction of plasma PGE2. Combination of 1400W and indomethacin reduced urinary NOx and PGE2 levels, and showed greater amelioration of inflammatory signs and bone destruction than either alone. In conclusion, 1400W, a selective iNOS inhibitor, failed to prevent CIA probably due to its increasing effect on PGE2 production, but showed a synergistic ameliorative effect in combination with indomethacin.

Phyto-anti-inflammatories. A systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials

Herbal treatments are often used to treat rheumatic symptoms. This systematic review is aimed at determining the clinical efficacy of this approach. Computer literature searches are carried out to locate all placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trials in this area. Nineteen studies meet the inclusion criteria. They are heterogeneous in terms of remedies tested, patients treated, and trial methodology applied. Most of the studies suggest that herbal remedies can have symptomatic effects beyond placebo. It is concluded that phyto-anti-inflammatories have considerable, albeit under-researched, potential in the symptomatic treatment of rheumatic disorders.