Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the protective effects of Zhuifengtougu (ZFTG) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse modelMethods: DBA/1 mice were randomly divided into 7 treatment groups (n = 8): normal, positive control (CIA mice), CIA mice + total glucosides of peony (TGP), CIA mice + cyclophosphamide (CPA), CIA mice + 100 mg/kg ZFTG, CIA mice + 200 mg/kg ZFTG, and CIA mice + 400 mg/kg ZFTG. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-αwere measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), p53 and first apoptosis signal receptor (Fas).Results: Following drug administration, the arthritic index in CIA mice administered low-dose, mediumdose, or high-dose ZFTG (1.53 – 1.87), TGP (1.75 ± 0.42), or CPA (1.52 ± 0.36) was reduced significantly (p < 0.05), compared with positive control group (5.66 ± 0.73; p < 0.01). Levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α in serum and expression of Bcl-2, p53, and Fas were also significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in CIA mice administered ZFTG, TGP, or CPA, whereas IL-10 levels increased.Conclusion: These results suggest that ZFTG exhibit anti-rheumatic activity in CIA mice via modulation of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TNF-α) and downregulation of the expressions of Bcl-2, p53, and Fas. Thus, ZFTG is a potential candidate drug for the treatment of RA.Keywords: Zhuifengtougu pill, Rheumatoid arthritis, Cytokines, Bcl-2, Fas, p53
Highlights
The global incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a common chronic autoimmune disease, is 1 % [1,2]
Following booster immunization on day 21, the body weight of mice in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) group stopped growing, while the body weight continued to increase in the normal mice, leading to a significant (p < 0.05) difference between these two groups at all time points assessed from day 35 through day 70
Arthritis index scores were recorded for a total of 10 CIA mice every 8 days
Summary
The global incidence of RA, a common chronic autoimmune disease, is 1 % [1,2]. Disability associated with RA poses a serious problem to patients in terms of ability to work, overall health, and quality of life [3,4,5]. The etiology and exact mechanisms of RA are not well understood. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressants are commonly used treatments for RA. Some natural plant extracts such as Tripterygium wilfordii and Sinomenine could offset the immune imbalance in RA. Research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for effectively treating RA has been ongoing for some time and continues to grow. Systematic theoretical support for TCM in the treatment of RA is lacking
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