Effect of Uncaria tomentosa extract on purinergic enzyme activities in lymphocytes of rats submitted to experimental adjuvant arthritis model.

Lívia G Castilhos,Jeandre A Dos S Jaques,Margareth L Athayde,Juliano Ferreira,Jamile F Gonçalves,Ritiel Corrêa Da Cruz,Mariane A Da Silva,Josiane B Schlemmer,Jader B Ruchel,João F P Rezer,Mateus F Rossato,Emerson André Casalli,Daniela B R Leal,Maria Luiza Thorstenberg,Pedro H Doleski

doi:10.1186/s12906-015-0694-4

Abstract

BackgroundConsidering that adjuvant arthritis is an experimental model of arthritis widely used for preclinical testing of numerous anti-arthritic agents, which were taken by a large number of patients worldwide, it is of great interest to investigate the therapeutic action of compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, such as Uncaria tomentosa extract. Moreover, there are no studies demonstrating the effect of U. tomentosa on the metabolism of adenine nucleotides published so far. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of U. tomentosa extract on E-NTPDase and E-ADA activities in lymphocytes of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) arthritis induced rats.MethodsTo evaluate the effect of U. tomentosa extract on the activity of E-NTPDase and ADA in lymphocytes, the rats were submitted to an experimental adjuvant arthritis model. Peripheral lymphocytes were isolated and E-NTPDase and E-ADA activities were determined. Data were analyzed by a one- or two-way ANOVA. Post hoc analyses were carried out by the Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) Multiple Comparison Test.ResultsE-NTPDase activity was increased in arthritic untreated. Arthritic rats which received U. tomentosa extract, presented similar results to the control group. However, results obtained for adenosine hydrolysis by E-ADA were not altered in arthritic rats. U. tomentosa extract did not alter E-NTPDase and E-ADA activity in healthy animals.ConclusionsThe present investigation supports the hypothesis that the increased E-NTPDase activity verified in arthritic rats might be an attempt to maintain basal levels of ATP and ADP in the extracellular medium, since the arthritis induction causes tissue damage and, consequently, large amounts of ATP are released into this milieu. Also, it highlights the possibility to use U. tomentosa extract as an adjuvant to treat arthritis.

Highlights

Considering that adjuvant arthritis is an experimental model of arthritis widely used for preclinical testing of numerous anti-arthritic agents, which were taken by a large number of patients worldwide, it is of great interest to investigate the therapeutic action of compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, such as Uncaria tomentosa extract
Evidences of arthritis induction and effect of U. tomentosa extract As shown in Fig. 1, Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) injection was able to increase mechanical sensitivity (Fig. 1a), paw thickness (Fig. 1b) and mieloperoxidase activity (MPO) activity (Fig. 1c) in 72.4 %, 120.1 % and 35.3 %, respectively, when compared to baseline, characterizing an arthritic process
E-NTPDase activity determination Figure 3 shows the effect of oral administration of U. tomentosa extract on Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) hydrolysis by ENTPDase in lymphocytes of rats submitted to an experimental adjuvant arthritis model

Summary

Introduction

Considering that adjuvant arthritis is an experimental model of arthritis widely used for preclinical testing of numerous anti-arthritic agents, which were taken by a large number of patients worldwide, it is of great interest to investigate the therapeutic action of compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, such as Uncaria tomentosa extract. Is a giant vine of the Rubiaceae family that grows in the Amazon rainforest and because of its curved thorns it is commonly known as ‘cat’s claw’ or ‘uña de gato’ This species has been extensively used among several Peruvian tribes for the Castilhos et al BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2015) 15:189 that this biological activity is due to the synergistic action of several compounds present in this species [4,5,6,7,8]. Arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by joint pain, stiffness and swelling due to synovial inflammation, as well as fatigue and limitation in physical function, and increased morbidity and mortality [9]. During the inflammatory process in arthritis, the immune and inflammatory responses are active, and it is well known that an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine activities favors the induction of autoimmunity, chronic inflammation and thereby joint damage [13]

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