Inhibitory effects of the root extract of Dipsacus asperoides C.Y. Cheng et al T.M.Ai on collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

BACKGROUND

Dipsaci radix, the dried root of Dipsacus asperoides C.Y. Cheng et al T.M.Ai is used as a medicinal plant in oriental clinics for the treatment of bone diseases and functions by strengthening bone and healing bone fractures.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of Dipsaci radix in treating rheumatoid arthritis using a type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model.

METHODS

Arthritis was induced in male DBA/1 mice by immunization with CII. Dipsaci radix water (DR-W) extract at 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg was orally administered from days to after the induction of arthritis. Arthritic score, serum levels of anti-CII IgG2a, the inflammatory mediator prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6), and histological changes in the ankle joint were analyzed in CIA mice.

RESULTS

Arthritic induction increased the arthritic score, as well as serum levels of anti-CII IgG2a antibody, PGE(2), TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in mice. However, administration of DR-W extract in CIA mice significantly reduced arthritic scores and serum levels of anti-CII IgG2a antibody, PGE(2), TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 compared with those in vehicle-treated CIA mice. Furthermore, histopathological improvement in joint architecture was also observed in DR-W extract-treated CIA mice.

CONCLUSIONS

DR-W extract has anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects in arthritic mice. This suggests that Dipsaci radix might be used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of human arthritis.