[Anti-inflammatory effect of Qufeng Zhitong capsule on the collagen-induced arthritis rat].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of anti-inflammatory effect and it's mechansim of Qufeng Zhitong capsule on the collagen-induced arthritis rat through the study of arthritis, joint inflammation and joint erosions.

METHODS

Fifty male SD rat were assigned to 5 groups: normal control group, arthritis model group, and Qufeng Zhitong capsule treatment group (including low, medium and high doses), each group contains 10 rats. Arthritis were induced by immunization with type II collagen (CII) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). After administered Qufeng Zhitong capsule 2 weeks, the volume of back foot of arthritis rat were detected, and the histology changes of the ankle joints of the arthritis rat were studied. The serum levels of IL-10 and TNF-alpha were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

After treated with Qufeng Zhitong capsule, the swelling of the paw of the rats were significantly decreased compared with the controls. Histology study demonstrated that the Qufeng Zhitong capsule treatment could reduce the synovium hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration, the inhibitory effects were in accordance with the doses of the drug. The serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine of TNF-alpha in the arthritis rat were not changed significantly, while the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine of IL-10 were elevated significantly after treated with Qufeng Zhitong capsule.

CONCLUSION

Qufeng Zhitong capsule can inhibit the synovium hyperplasia and cartilage erosion by stimulating the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine of IL-10 and suggest it can be a candidate of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.