title: The therapeutic effects of daphnetin in collagen-induced arthritis involve its regulation of Th17 cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Daphne odora var. marginata (D. marginata), an aiophyllus arbuscular plant, is one of the traditional Chinese medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. This study investigated the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of daphnetin, an active monomer ingredient derived from D. marginata, on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of daphnetin on joint diseases were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and radiographic and transmission electron microscopy. The protein and mRNA expression levels of T helper (Th)1/Th2/Th17-type cytokines in the spleen were determined by flow cytometry and quantitative real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results showed that daphnetin significantly reduced paw swelling and was nontoxic in vivo at the tested doses. Synovial hyperplasia, joint destruction and chondrocyte degeneration in CIA rats were suppressed by daphnetin. Daphnetin treatment also reduced the levels of Th1/Th2/Th17 type cytokines in spleen lymphocytes in CIA rats. Moreover, the expression of Foxp3, which can down-regulate the activity of Th17 cells, was significantly increased in the daphnetin-treated groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that daphnetin may have therapeutic effects in down-regulating Th17-type responses in CIA rats. The beneficial effects of daphnetin on CIA may be related to its inhibition of Th17 cell priming and activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Medical College of Nanchang University, 461 Nanchang Bayi Road, Nanchang of Jiangxi Province 330006, China.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Sha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yingyuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Rongfeng
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Zhiqin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shulong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiaoping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Nanzhen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D032364:Daphne; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014468:Umbelliferones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498833:Foxp3 protein, mouse; D014468:Umbelliferones; C039952:daphnetin