Abstract

To investigate anti-arthritic effects of matrine isolated from the roots of S. flavescens on type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats and to explore its related potential mechanisms, CIA rats were established and administered with matrine (20, 40 or 80 mg/kg/days, for 30 days). Subsequently, blood was collected to determine serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, IL-10, MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9, and hind paws and knee joints were collected for histopathological examination. Furthermore, indices of the thymus and spleen were determined, and synovial tissues were collected to determine the protein expressions of p-IκB, IκB, Cox-2 and iNOS. Our results indicated that matrine significantly suppressed inflammatory reactions and synovial tissue destruction. Matrine inhibited paw swelling, arthritis indices and weight loss in CIA rats. Additionally, matrine decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9. Matrine also down-regulated expressions of p-IκB, Cox-2, and iNOS but up-regulated IκB in synovial tissues in CIA rats. The results suggested matrine possesses an anti-arthritic effect in CIA rats via inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and proteins that promote the NF-κB pathway.

Highlights

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an intractable and highly prevalent autoimmune disease, is characterized by hyperplasia and inflammation of the synovial joints

  • A type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model was prepared to evaluate the therapeutic effects of matrine in rats with RA

  • Our results indicate that starting on the 6th day after the initial dexamethasone administration (0.05 mg/kg), paw swelling was decreased in CIA rats compared with the control group (p < 0.01) (Figure 1)

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an intractable and highly prevalent autoimmune disease, is characterized by hyperplasia and inflammation of the synovial joints. RA can result in serious and irreversible destruction of articular cartilage and bone [1,2,3]. The molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of RA are being extensively investigated, and it has become clear that RA is a disease mainly mediated by T cells, synovial fibroblasts, and dentritic cells [3]. There are few RA treatment strategies that are effective, reliable, and have low toxicity [6]. Prolonged use of these drugs could result in severe side effects, such as gastrointestinal ulcer, myelo-suppression, cardiac diseases, etc. Prolonged use of these drugs could result in severe side effects, such as gastrointestinal ulcer, myelo-suppression, cardiac diseases, etc. [6,7]

Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call