Aster yomena has anti-arthritic activity against septic arthritis induced by Candida albicans: its terpenoid constituent is the most effective and has synergy with indomethacin

Abstract

In recent, various pharmacological activities of Aster yomena have been determined, but its anti-arthritic activity remains unknown until now. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether A. yomena has anti-arthritic activity against septic arthritis caused by Candida albicans, a major etiological agent causing septic arthritis. In experiments, three types of A. yomena extracts such as 70% ethanol extract (EEAY) and its n-buthanol fraction (BuF) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) were tested. The color tests and the GC–MS analysis revealed that BuF and EAF contained terpenoid and polyphenolic, respectively. Results from the anti-inflammatory tests showed that BuF-activity at 50 μg/ml was closely equivalent to EEAY- or EAF-activity at 500 μg/ml, indicating that BuF was 10 times more potent than EAF and EEAY. In the mouse model of the arthritis, the footpad swelling of BuF (100 μg/mouse/time)-, and EEAY(1000 μg/mouse/time)-, and indomethacin (IMC; 30 μg/mouse/time)-treated mice groups decreased at a similar rate until the end of the observation. At Day 9, the highest peak of arthritic induction, there were app. 15.4%, 27.8%, and 48.2%—reductions of footpad swelling, corresponding to IMC-, BuF-, or EEAY-treatment, respectively. In terms of dosage comparison, the BuF effectiveness was assessed to be 10 folds more efficient than EEAY effectiveness. When compared to IMC potency, the BuF potency was almost twice more effective than the IMC. EAF’s anti-arthritic activity was alternatively determined because of its killing of test mice. The determination was done if EAF contains chlorogenic acid (CRA), which is known to have such anti-arthritic activity (Lee et al. in Int Immunopharmacol 8:1681–1685, 2008). The HPLC analysis revealed EAF contained CRA, a polyphenolic. This indicates CRA in EAF could be involved in the activity. BuF, the most effective extract, had synergy with IMC, a clinically available anti-inflammatory agent. The BuF synergism was exhibited at 12.5 time lower dose of EEAY in a similar pattern as EEAY was. In conclusion, for the first time, we provide insights into the potential of A. yomena against the septic arthritis. The terpenoid constituent is the most effective for the anti-arthritic activity and for synergy with IMC.