[Study on mechanism underlying the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by Keshiling].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the mechanism underlying the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by Keshiling (KSL) in the rats model of FCA-induced arthritis.


METHODS
The experimental arthritis was induced by FCA in the rats. The content of PGE2 in the inflammatory swelling toes was evaluated by ultraviolet spectrophotometric method. The ConA and LPS-induced lymphocytes proliferation and the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) secreted by thymus were determined by MTT assay.


RESULTS
Results showed that the increases of lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production in AIA rats could be inhibited by KSL at the concentrations of 540 and 270 mg x kg(-1) in vivo and vitro. KSL at the same doses decreased the contents of PGE2 in inflammatory swelling toes, and the decreased A values were 25.6,16.1, 10.0 (A x 10(3)), respectively. After administration of KSL in vivo at 540 and 270 mg x kg(-1) the T lymphocyte proliferation were attenuated by 32.1% and 31.0%, and the production of IL-2 was inhibited by 17.5% and 14.0% respectively. While the inhibitory rates of T lymphocyte proliferation were reduced by 39.0% and 22.1% and the production of IL-2 was diminished by 27.3% and 18.2% respectively following the administration of KSL in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
KSL possesses the anti-inflammation function.
Wang
Cong-Pin
CP
Children Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 210000, China. huaidong5187@yahoo.com.cn
Wu
Yu-Lin
YL
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001000:Ants / Q000737:chemistry; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008419:Materia Medica; D015232:Dinoprostone