The petroleum ether fraction of Celastrus paniculatus Willd. seeds demonstrates antiarthritic effect in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats

Objective:Celastrus paniculatus(CP)Willd.is a plant indigenous to India with medicinal properties.It is used in the ayurvedic treatment of inflammatory ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis.The present study was designed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the petroleum ether fraction(PCP)obtained from CP seeds on adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.Methods:Arthritis was induced in SpragueeDawley rats by immunization with Freund’s complete adjuvant(FCA).Arthritis severity was evaluated by arthritis score,paw volume,tibiotarsal joint thickness,body weight,dorsal flexion pain,motility test,stair climbing ability and index of thymus and spleen.Moreover,histopathology of knee joints supported by haematological analysis was used to assess the anti-arthritic action of PCP.The levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione(GSH),catalase(CAT),nitric oxide(NO)and malondialdehyde(MDA)in liver were also assessed.Serum samples were collected for estimation of aspartate transaminase(AST),alanine transaminase(ALT)and alkaline phosphatase(ALP).In addition,cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-a)and interleukin-6(IL-6)were estimated in plasma.Results:PCP significantly alleviated arthritic progression with regards to paw swelling,arthritic score,immune organ indices,hyperalgesic effect and body weight.This phenomenon was correlated with significant suppression of overproduction of inflammatory cytokines(TNFa and IL-6),oxidant stress markers(MDA and NO)and cellular enzyme(AST,ALT and ALP)levels versus arthritic rats without treatment.Moreover,PCP restored the decreased levels of SOD,CAT and GSH.Conclusion:Our results suggest that the anti-arthritic properties of PCP may be due to immunosuppressive effects,cytokine regulation,antioxidant effects and bone-protective activities.

Preparation and analysis of active rat model of rheumatoid arthritis with features of TCM toxic heat-stasis painful obstruction

Objective:To establish a collagen type II-induced rat model of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)presenting characteristics of the human form of the traditional Chinese syndrome pattern of toxic heat-stasis painful obstruction(bi zheng;arthromyodynia)as well as pathologic features of active RA.The Chinese herbal medicine Tengmei decoction was used to validate the animal model.Methods:Ninety specific pathogen free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group of 6 rats and a model group of 84 rats.To establish the rat model of collageninduced arthritis(CIA),bovine type II collagen in complete Freund’s adjuvant was injected into the model group rats as a priming dose(Day 0)and boosting dose(Day 9).Changes in arthritic index(AI)scores,including limb swelling,were monitored.Thereafter,24 successfullyestablished CIA rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 6 animals each:model,positive control drug,high-dose traditional Chinese herbal medicine,and traditional Chinese herbal medicine.A blank control group of 6 rats was included.After 12 weeks of intervention with Tengmei decoction,articular synovial tissue and serum specimens were collected to detect interleukin-2(IL-2)and IL-17 transcription and protein expression levels.

Anti-arthritic effect of Distemonanthus benthamianus extracts against rheumatoid arthritis in rats

Objective:To evaluate the anti-arthritic effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Distemonanthus benthamianus.Methods:Monoarthritis was induced by an injection of 0.3 mL zymosan A(0.9%NaCl,v/v)in the right posterior knee joints of rats.Then,joint diameter and pain threshold were determined.Polyarthritis was induced by an intracaudal injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant and rats were treated from day 14 post 1st complete Freund’s adjuvant injection until 28 day.The clinical,hematological,biochemical and oxidative stress parameters were evaluated.In addition,histological analysis of the knee joint was perfomed in both tests.Results:The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Distemonanthus benthamianus at a dose of 500 mg/kg ameliorated zymosan A-induced monoarthritis,as evidenced by reduced joint diameter,increased pain threshold,as well as improved joint architecture.In addition,both extracts of Distemonanthus benthamianus markedly increased body weight and pain threshold,while reducing paw edema in polyarthritic rats.They also led to a marked decrease in platelets and white blood cells(P<0.05),as well as a significant increase in red blood cells,hemoglobin and hematocrit(P<0.05).The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Distemonanthus benthamianus significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,alkaline phosphatase activities,while increasing serum protein levels(P<0.05)with no significant variation in creatinine level.Moreover,both extracts increased catalase and glutathione activities(P<0.05),and inhibited malondialdehyde and nitric oxide production(P<0.01 and P<0.001)in the liver and kidneys.Histological analysis of the joints showed that both extracts triggered tissue reparation.Conclusions:Distemonanthus benthamianus could be used as a potential candidate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.