Ligularia fischeri leaf extract prevents the oxidative stress in DBA/1J mice with type II collagen-induced arthritis.

The generation of free radicals has been implicated in the causation of several diseases and compounds that can scavenge free radicals have great potential in ameliorating these disease processes. The present study was aimed to investigate the possible antioxidant potential of Ligularia fischeri leaves on collagen type II induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice. Ligularia fischeri extracts (100 and 200 mg kg(-1)) were orally administered to DBA/1J mice once daily for 49 days after initial immunization with type II collagen. The levels of oxidant products and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were determined in the serum and organs obtained at day 50. The induction of arthritis significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum and kidney, and oxidized proteins such as protein carbonyl (PCO) and advanced glycation end-products (AGE) in the serum, liver, spleen and kidney. Oral administration of Ligularia fischeri extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg kg(-1) reduced the levels of MDA in the serum and kidney, and PCO and AGE in the serum, liver, and kidney compared with CIA mice. Moreover, treatment with Ligularia fischeri extract dose-dependently increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in the spleen compared with CIA mice. These results suggest that Ligularia fischeri exerts antioxidant actions in the CIA mouse model.