Tetrandrine alleviates symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in rats by regulating the expression of cyclooxygenase‑2 and inflammatory factors

  • Authors:
    • Xiang Li
    • Zhongxiu Wu
    • Bin He
    • Wei Zhong
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  • Published online on: July 20, 2018     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6498
  • Pages: 2670-2676
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Abstract

The present study aimed to construct a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to evaluate changes in pathology, the expression of inflammatory factors and regulation of signaling pathways. The protective effect of tetrandrine (Tet) on tissue lesions induced by RA was also investigated. A total of 60 Wistar rats (100‑200 g) were randomly divided into six groups (n=10 per group), namely a blank (NC) group, model group, methotrexate (MTX) group (3 mg/kg body weight), high‑dose Tet group (31.25 mg/kg body weight), medium‑dose Tet group (18.75 mg/kg body weight) and low‑dose Tet group (6.25 mg/kg body weight). A rat model of RA was induced via injection of 0.1 ml complete Freund's adjuvant into the right rear toe. Toe swelling rate, arthritis index and immune organ index were calculated. In addition, cyclooxygenase (COX)‑2 expression at the mRNA and protein level in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of rats were determined by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. Serum concentrations of inflammatory factors were measured using enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assays. It was observed that treatment with Tet alleviated the severity of rear toe swelling associated with RA in rats. Furthermore, Tet exerted anti‑inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects in the rat model of RA. Tet also reduced the expression of COX‑2 in PBMCs and lowered the concentrations of inflammatory factors in the serum of RA rats. The present data indicate that Tet may exert pharmacological effects in the treatment of RA. The mechanism of action of Tet may be associated with the regulation of inflammatory factors and the inhibition of immune organs.
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September-2018
Volume 16 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Li X, Wu Z, He B and Zhong W: Tetrandrine alleviates symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in rats by regulating the expression of cyclooxygenase‑2 and inflammatory factors. Exp Ther Med 16: 2670-2676, 2018
APA
Li, X., Wu, Z., He, B., & Zhong, W. (2018). Tetrandrine alleviates symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in rats by regulating the expression of cyclooxygenase‑2 and inflammatory factors. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 16, 2670-2676. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6498
MLA
Li, X., Wu, Z., He, B., Zhong, W."Tetrandrine alleviates symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in rats by regulating the expression of cyclooxygenase‑2 and inflammatory factors". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 16.3 (2018): 2670-2676.
Chicago
Li, X., Wu, Z., He, B., Zhong, W."Tetrandrine alleviates symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in rats by regulating the expression of cyclooxygenase‑2 and inflammatory factors". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 16, no. 3 (2018): 2670-2676. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6498