Abstract
BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis, disease of unknown causes is a rheumatic and autoimmune pathology, recognised for its increasing frequency and its adverse consequences. It is a disease that occurs in most cases between 50 and 60 years and women are more affected than men. This study aimed at evaluating immunomodulatory and anti-arthritis capacity of aqueous and methanol extracts of stem bark of Piptadeniastrum africanum (Mimosaceae).MethodsROS production from phagocytes, proliferation of T-cells, TNF-α and IL-1β production and cytotoxicity were performed by using chemiluminescence technique, liquid scintillation counter, ELISA and MTT assay, respectively. Anti-arthritic activity was evaluated using a model of adjuvant induced arthritis.ResultsMethanol and aqueous extracts of Piptadeniastrum africanum significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited extracellular and intracellular ROS production. These extracts also possess significant (P < 0.001) inhibitory activity on T-cell proliferation other than reduced TNF-α and IL-1β production. Piptadeniastrum africanum also significantly exhibited antiarthritic activity in complete Freund’s adjuvant induced arthritis in rat associated with a significant anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesia activity.ConclusionsImmunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antihyperalgesia and anti-arthritis potential revealed in this study approve that, Piptadeniastrum africanum is a plant rich in compounds with anti-arthritic properties.
Highlights
Rheumatoid arthritis, disease of unknown causes is a rheumatic and autoimmune pathology, recognised for its increasing frequency and its adverse consequences
Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan Full list of author information is available at the end of the article a deformation of joints is observed with increased in volume and loss of function, cartilage and bone destruction; these people suffer with a remarkable reduction of daily life quality which can lead to depression [5]. This disease mainly affects the ankle joint resulting in a gradual painful swelling, exaggerated and abnormal development of the synovium, pannus formation and changes in the morphology of the joint. [5, 6] Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progresses in three stages: swelling, warmth, pain and redness around the joint due to the swelling of the synovial membrane; thickening of the synovial membrane due to the division and the rapid growth of cells or pannus; release of enzymes by the inflamed cells that can digest bone and Mbiantcha et al BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2017) 17:111 cartilage resulting in loss of shape and alignment of the joint involved with more pain and loss of motion [7]
We firstly describe in vivo, antiinflammatory, antihyperalgesia and antiarthritis effects of stem bark of P. africanum and its significant effect on systemic changes, and secondly, in vitro studies to evaluate immunomodulatory, antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis, disease of unknown causes is a rheumatic and autoimmune pathology, recognised for its increasing frequency and its adverse consequences. Activated macrophages and synoviocytes will secrete large amounts of proteases, cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α [11] These cytokines are strong proinflammatory mediators in the cascades of information transmission between inflammatory cells in RA synovitis [12]. IL-1β and TNF-α play a important role by causing the liberation of metalloproteases (collagenases, stromelysin) and prostaglandins (PGE2) by activated cells (fibroblastes, macrophages, synovial dendritic cells) [13]. This causes destruction of cartilage tissue, bone resorption and chronic proliferation of synoviocytes cells [14]. In the inflamed or painful joints, macrophages, chondrocytes and neutrophils can produce the ROS (reactive oxygen species) [18]
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