Correlation of cytokine and mobility in mice with arthritis and during therapy with Swertia chirayita.

We attempt to derive a correlation between pro-inflammatory cytokines and mobility in arthritic mice and after treatment with Swertia chirayita plant extract. Tumor necrosis factor-á (TNF-á), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured by solid phase sandwich ELISA and the different parameters of mobility [distance traveled (DT), resting time (RT), ambulatory time (AT) and stereotypic time (ST)] was monitored and recorded by an Auto track system. Joint circumference of the right hind limb was monitored using a Vernier caliper. Our preliminary findings revealed that DT and RT correlated well with IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels in the joint homogenates of arthritic mice and after therapy with Swertia chirayita extracts. AT and ST showed poor correlation with the cytokines. Thus we demonstrate here the anti-inflammatory property of Swertia chirayita and its usage in the prevention of arthritis in the broader aspect in the management of associated cytokines.