title: Anti-inflammatory activity of the isoquinoline alkaloid, tetrandrine, against established adjuvant arthritis in rats.
abstract: Two isoquinoline plant alkaloids, tetrandrine (1) and berbamine (2), have been evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity in an acute paw oedema assay and in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. 1 but not 2 suppressed the chronic inflammation in the arthritis model but neither compound was active in the acute inflammation assay. In the adjuvant-induced polyarthritis, 1 was not effective when given at the time of inoculation (Day 0), nor just before (Day 7-10) signs of arthritis were evident. However, when given on a therapeutic dose schedule (Days 10-13) or continually (Day -1 to +14) on a prophylactic schedule, signs of arthritis including weight loss due to cachexia were significantly reduced. Given orally, 1 was considerably more potent than aspirin but not gastro-irritant and may be a promising lead for the development of a safe and effective treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Whitehouse
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Fairlie
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Thong
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D002351:Carrageenan; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; C009438:tetrandrine; D002351:Carrageenan; C027870:berbamine