Using 18F-FDG microPET imaging to measure the inhibitory effects of Clematis chinensis Osbeck on the pro-inflammatory and degradative mediators associated with inflammatory arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the modulating effects of Clematis chinensis Osbeck (Ranunculaeae) on pro-inflammatory and degradative mediators associated with inflammatory arthritis.


METHODS
Primary human chondrocytes (PHC) were stimulated with IL-1β or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce the enhanced release of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), metalloproteinase (MMP-3 and -13), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression. The (18)F-FDG microPET imaging system was used to evaluate the anti-arthritic effects of Clematis chinensisin vivo.


RESULTS
The acetone extracted Clematis chinensis (CC6) contained the most total saponins compared to other solvent's extracts and showed significant and dose-dependent inhibitory effects on PGE(2), MMP-3, -13, and COX-2 productions by LPS-stimulated PHC. Furthermore, CC6 also exerted inhibitory effects on 2-(18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ((18)F-FDG) uptake when assessed by positron emission tomography (PET) uptake in the joints and serum PGE(2) of rabbits with knee joints injected with LPS.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest the significant chondroprotective effects of Clematis chinensis are through its anti-inflammatory and MMPs inhibitory abilities. Meanwhile, we established a new analysis method to evaluate the Chinese herbal anti-arthritic effects.
Hsieh
Ming-Shium
MS
School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wang
Kun-Teng
KT
Tseng
Sung-Hui
SH
Lee
Chia-Jung
CJ
Chen
Chi-Hsien
CH
Wang
Ching-Chiung
CC
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D039324:Clematis / Q000737:chemistry*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D011817:Rabbits; D012503:Saponins / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D015232:Dinoprostone