Inhibitory effects of the root extract of Dipsacus asperoides CY Cheng et at TMAi on collagen-induced arthritis in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance: 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. Aim of the study: This study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of Dipsaci radix in treating rheumatoid arthritis using a type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. Materials and methods: Arthritis was induced in male DBA/1 mice by immunization with CII. Dipsaci radix water (DR-W) extract at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/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-alpha, IL-1 beta 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-alpha, IL-1 beta 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), INF-alpha, IL-1 beta 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. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.