Protective effects of Zhuifeng tougu on collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1 mice

Purpose: To investigate the protective effects of Zhuifengtougu (ZFTG) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse modelMethods: DBA/1 mice were randomly divided into 7 treatment groups (n = 8): normal, positive control (CIA mice), CIA mice + total glucosides of peony (TGP), CIA mice + cyclophosphamide (CPA), CIA mice + 100 mg/kg ZFTG, CIA mice + 200 mg/kg ZFTG, and CIA mice + 400 mg/kg ZFTG. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-αwere measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), p53 and first apoptosis signal receptor (Fas).Results: Following drug administration, the arthritic index in CIA mice administered low-dose, mediumdose, or high-dose ZFTG (1.53 – 1.87), TGP (1.75 ± 0.42), or CPA (1.52 ± 0.36) was reduced significantly (p < 0.05), compared with positive control group (5.66 ± 0.73; p < 0.01). Levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α in serum and expression of Bcl-2, p53, and Fas were also significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in CIA mice administered ZFTG, TGP, or CPA, whereas IL-10 levels increased.Conclusion: These results suggest that ZFTG exhibit anti-rheumatic activity in CIA mice via modulation of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TNF-α) and downregulation of the expressions of Bcl-2, p53, and Fas. Thus, ZFTG is a potential candidate drug for the treatment of RA.Keywords: Zhuifengtougu pill, Rheumatoid arthritis, Cytokines, Bcl-2, Fas, p53