Anti-arthritic activity of agnuside mediated through the down-regulation of inflammatory mediators and cytokines.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to elucidate the probable mechanism for the anti-arthritic activity of agnuside (AGN), a compound isolated from the leaf extract of Vitex negundo.


METHODS
The anti-inflammatory activity of AGN within a dose range of 1.56-12.50 mg/kg in normal and adrenalectomized rats was evaluated against different inflammagens. An array of pro-inflammatory mediators (PGE(2) and LTB(4)) and T-cell-mediated cytokines (IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17) was assayed using flow cytometry, in arthritic paw tissue homogenate and splenocytes of treated animals.


RESULTS
Significant anti-arthritic activity was observed in the polyarthritis test in rats and this was associated with significant suppression of inflammatory mediators and T-cell-mediated cytokines (Th1/Th2). The anti-inflammatory activity in adrenalectomized rats confirmed that the effect of AGN is not mediated by the pituitary-adrenal axis. AGN also showed inhibition of vascular permeability and leukocyte migration in vivo.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests the possible development of AGN as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of arthritis by the modulation of the host immune response.
Department of Pharmacology, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu Tawi 180001, India. anjali290284@yahoo.co.in
Anjali
A
Pandey
Sarang
S
Bani
Naresh Kumar
NK
Satti
Bishan Dutt
BD
Gupta
Krishan Avtar
KA
Suri
D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002351:Carrageenan; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003911:Dextrans; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005960:Glucosides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006632:Histamine; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020950:Vitex
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D003911:Dextrans; D005960:Glucosides; D007975:Leukotriene B4; D006632:Histamine; D002351:Carrageenan; C452960:agnuside