title: Suppressive effects of QFGJS, a preparation from an anti-arthritic herbal formula, on rat experimental adjuvant-induced arthritis.
abstract: To analyze the anti-arthritic effects of QFGJS (a pharmaceutical preparation from herbs) on rheumatoid arthritis, adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) was established in male SD rats, and two administration protocols, i.e., oral treatment with different doses of QFGJS on the day of arthritis induction or on the day when visible clinical signs of arthritis occurred, were initiated and continued until day 30. Treatments with QFGJS using both administration protocols significantly suppressed the incidence and severity of arthritis in a dose-dependent manner, showing dramatic reduction of paw swelling and ESR throughout the disease progression of AIA. Radiological and histopathological examinations showed markedly decreased tissue and bone destruction of ankle joints in the QFGJS-treated rats. The serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 were significantly decreased in the QFGJS-treated rats. QFGJS demonstrates pronounced anti-arthritic effects on AIA, indicating that this herbal preparation would be a potent candidate as a novel botanical drug for further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, China.
authors.forename: Xiong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Yuen Fan
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Zhong Qiu
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhi Hong
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Zhao Xiang
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Bian
authors.forename: Hong Xi
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002356:Cartilage / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C520667:qingfu guanjieshu