Expression of inflammatory cytokines and effect of Aconitum leucostomum Worosch. in collagen-induced arthritis rats

Zhang Jun-yu; Du Wen-jing; Ji Peng; Liu Qing; Luo Li; Luo De-mei

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2015.18.002

Abstract：BACKGROUND:The majority of rheumatoid arthritis treatment is chronic anti-arthritis drugs, biological agents and plant drugs. Among them, plant drugs have been widely concerned due to low cost and few adverse effects. OBJECTIVE:To observe the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in the <br> synovium of col agen-induced arthritis rats, and explore the effect of Aconitum leucostomum Worosch. on the expression. <br> METHODS:Forty-five rats were randomly divided into normal control group (8 rats) and model group (37 rats). The col agen-induced arthritis model was established with the injection of type II bovine col agen into the end of the tail and paws. After the success of modeling, the 24 successful model rats were randomly selected and divided into model group (8 rats), Tripterygium wolfprdi polyglycoside group (8 rats) and Aconitum leucostomum Worosch. group (8 rats). The arthritis index of the rats in the three intervention groups and one control group were evaluated weekly. After treated by intragastric administration for 4 weeks (Tripterygium wolfprdi polyglycoside group and Aconitum leucostomum Worosch. group were taken by the corresponding drug solution, model group and normal control group were taken by the same volume of physiological saline), the expressions of TNF-αand IL-1βin the synovium were tested by immunohistochemistry. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model group, the arthritis index of mice in Tripterygium wolfprdi polyglycoside group and Aconitum leucostomum Worosch. group was decreased significantly after treatment (P<0.05). The expression levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin the synovium of model group were significantly higher than those of the normal control group (P<0.05). After treatment with Aconitum leucostomum Worosch. and Tripterygium wolfprdi polyglycoside, the expression levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin the synovium was decreased compared with the model group (P<0.05). Experimental findings indicated that, the mechanism that Aconitum leucostomum Worosch. treats rheumatoid arthritis is related to the inhibition of TNF-αand IL-1β.