Inhibition of type II collagen induced arthritis in mice by an immunosuppressive extract of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f.
The effects of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f (TWHf), a Chinese herbal remedy, on type II collagen induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1LacJ mice were determined. Mice were divided into 4 groups receiving oral treatment for 63 days: Group A, sham feedings; Group B, TWHf (78 mg/day); Group C, TWHf (140 mg/day); Group D, TWHf (140 mg/day) starting 21 days after collagen immunization. Arthritis incidence was reduced and day of onset delayed in Groups B and C compared with A. Arthritic joint counts, arthritic severity scores, and anticollagen antibody titers were decreased in Groups B, C, and D compared with A. Histopathology revealed destructive arthritis only in Group A. Our results indicate that TWHf is a potent immunosuppressive inhibitor of CIA, even when treatment is begun 3 weeks after immunization.
Gu
W Z
WZ
Department of Medicine, Montreal General Hospital, PQ, Canada.
Brandwein
S R
SR
Banerjee
S
S
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D001168:Arthritis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003094:Collagen / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000032:analysis; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007596:Joints / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
D000906:Antibodies; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D003094:Collagen