Objective: To explore the mechanism of action of Juanbi Capsules (蠲痹胶囊), a Chinese medicine for invigorating the kidney and replenishing qi, in preventing osteoarthritis of the knee in rabbits. Methods: Seventy-tw...Objective: To explore the mechanism of action of Juanbi Capsules (蠲痹胶囊), a Chinese medicine for invigorating the kidney and replenishing qi, in preventing osteoarthritis of the knee in rabbits. Methods: Seventy-two 4-month-old, Japanese long-eared white rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups: control (group A), model (group B), Chinese drug; high-dose (group C), Chinese drug; mid-dose (group D), Chinese drug; low-dose (group E), and drug control (group F). With the exception of the rabbits in group A, each rabbit was subjected to plaster cast fixation for 6 weeks to induce osteoarthritis. In addition, rabbits were administrated with an intragastric injection of the Chinese drug (groups C, D and E) or an aminoglucose hydrochloride capsule (group F) for 4 weeks. Blood was drawn from the central ear artery for serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentrations, and the knee joint cartilage was harvested for gross observation and light microscopy. Results: There were significant differences in serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentrations between group B and groups C, D and E (P<0.05), with no significant differences between groups D and F. Histological results showed various changes in tissue staining with treatment, with osteophyte and bone cyst formation, and superficial erosion in the articular surface of the cartilage; in some cases, the defect reached the mid-layer of the cartilage, and these changes were lower than those in the model group. Conclusion: Juanbi Capsules assist in preventing osteoarthritis in the rabbit, possibly by decreasing serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels.展开更多
基金supported by special-purpose scientific research plan of the Education Department of Shaanxi Province (09JK411)the foundation of the Education Department of Shaanxi Province for Key Discipline and The State Administration of TCM for Key Specialized Subject Construction
文摘Objective: To explore the mechanism of action of Juanbi Capsules (蠲痹胶囊), a Chinese medicine for invigorating the kidney and replenishing qi, in preventing osteoarthritis of the knee in rabbits. Methods: Seventy-two 4-month-old, Japanese long-eared white rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups: control (group A), model (group B), Chinese drug; high-dose (group C), Chinese drug; mid-dose (group D), Chinese drug; low-dose (group E), and drug control (group F). With the exception of the rabbits in group A, each rabbit was subjected to plaster cast fixation for 6 weeks to induce osteoarthritis. In addition, rabbits were administrated with an intragastric injection of the Chinese drug (groups C, D and E) or an aminoglucose hydrochloride capsule (group F) for 4 weeks. Blood was drawn from the central ear artery for serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentrations, and the knee joint cartilage was harvested for gross observation and light microscopy. Results: There were significant differences in serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentrations between group B and groups C, D and E (P<0.05), with no significant differences between groups D and F. Histological results showed various changes in tissue staining with treatment, with osteophyte and bone cyst formation, and superficial erosion in the articular surface of the cartilage; in some cases, the defect reached the mid-layer of the cartilage, and these changes were lower than those in the model group. Conclusion: Juanbi Capsules assist in preventing osteoarthritis in the rabbit, possibly by decreasing serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels.
