Effect of Bizhongxiao decoction and its dismantled formulae on IL-1 and TNF levels in collagen-induced arthritis in rat synovial joints

Abstract

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disease, affects sufferers in many different ways. Treatment of this chronic condition is particularly challenging. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides alternatives. Bizhongxiao decoction (BZX) is a TCM complex, which has been used clinically for many years to treat RA. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of BZX decoction and its dismantled formulae on IL-1 and TNF-1 levels in rats with RA, and to elucidate its mechanism of action.MethodsNinety healthy normal female SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal (control), model, BZX decoction, and the three dismantled formulae (I: heat-clearing and detoxication, II: dissipating dampness, and III: blood circulation promotion). Apart from the normal (control) group, the rats in each group were injected subcutaneously with bovine type II collagen and complete Freund adjuvant to establish a collagen-induced arthritis model, so that inhibition of foot swelling in the rats by BZX decoction and its dismantled formulae could be observed. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and TNF in synovial joints at various time points.ResultsTwenty-one days after the model was established, the levels of TNF and IL-1 were significantly higher in the model group, BZX decoction group and dismantled formula groups I, II and III than in the normal controls (P < 0.05). The levels of these cytokines were significantly higher in the model group than the BZX decoction or the three dismantled formula groups (P <0.01). At longer times, the TNF and IL-1 levels in model group rose gradually; those in the BZX decoction and dismantled formula groups were gradually reduced. The cytokine levels in the BZX decoction group were lower than in the three dismantled formula groups and continued to decline.ConclusionsBZX decoction and the three dismantled formulae examined down-regulated the inflammatory factors IL-1 and TNF in collagen-induced arthritis rat models, but BZX exerted the strongest effect.

Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of p‐Coumaric Acid, a Natural Compound of Oldenlandia diffusa, on Arthritis Model Rats

“…Rats were divided into 2 groups, that is, the OD group ( n = 5) and the control group ( n = 5). First, we calculated the standard human daily herbal dose and converted it to a rat daily herbal dose according to the body surface area of an individual weighing 70 kg [ 16 ]; the daily dose per rat was thus 2.7 mg/g (crude drug/weight). We administered the OD decoction orally at the calculated dose to the OD group and administered the same volume of purified water to the control group.…”

“…After 14 days, we randomly divided the replication group into an OD group, a p-CA group, and a model group. Based on the results of the previous chromatographic analysis, we calculated the p-CA content in OD and converted this to a rat dose [ 16 ]. Based on the normal human daily herbal dose, we calculated the daily dose of p-CA for a rat, which was 13.8 μ g/g.…”

“…In China, traditional herbs are used as medication to treat patients with RA [ 16 ]. In traditional Chinese medicine, principles of yin-yang, the five elements, zang, and viscera guidelines are used [ 17 ].…”

Tocotrienol regulates osteoclastogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis

“…In addition, tocotrienol increased AMPK phosphorylation. In previous studies, g-tocotrienol demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the NF-κB activation pathway [24][25][26][27]. Moreover, Wu et al [28] identified that a tocotrienol-rich fraction was capable of inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production in human monocytes.…”

Synovial tissue quantitative proteomics analysis reveals paeoniflorin decreases LIFR and ASPN proteins in experimental rheumatoid arthritis

“…The serum was used in an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (Wuhan Huamei Biotech Co., LTD) to detect the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. 23 …”