title: The anti-arthritic effects of Aconitum vilmorinianum, a folk herbal medicine in Southwestern China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aconiti Radix (AC) and Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix (AK) are two traditional Chinese medicines commonly used to treat joint pain and arthritis. In Southwestern China, Huangcaowu (AV), the root of Aconitum vilmorinianum Kom., has long been used as a local substitute for these herbs for analgesia and anti-inflammation. However, its anti-arthritic effects have not been investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the anti-arthritic effects of Huangcaowu (AV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Mono-arthritis in SD rats was induced by unilateral intra-articular injection of Freund's complete adjuvant. Physiological saline was injected in the contralateral knee. Seventy five percent ethanol extracts of AV (10 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day), AC (100 mg/kg/day) and AK (100 mg/kg/day) were administered to rats by oral gavage for 14 consecutive days (Day -6 to Day 7) while arthritis was induced at the seventh day (Day 0). The anti-arthritic effects of the herbs were assessed by measuring allodynia, swelling, hyperaemia and the vascular permeability of the knee joints.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AV (10 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day), AC (100 mg/kg/day) and AK (100 mg/kg/day) suppressed joint allodynia. AV (10 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day) and AK (100 mg/kg/day) significantly reduced join swelling and hyperaemia while AC (100 mg/kg/day) did not. AV (100 mg/kg/day) attenuated vascular permeability while AC (100 mg/kg/day) and AK (100 mg/kg/day) showed no improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Huangcaowu (AV) significantly improved allodynia, swelling, hyperaemia and vascular permeability in arthritic knee joints. It showed the highest anti-arthritic effects among the three tested Aconitum herbs.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China (CUHK), Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, PR China.
authors: Ming
authors: M
authors: Li
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: He
authors: Li-Li
authors: LL
authors: Jiang
authors: Ethel Sau-Kuen
authors: ES
authors: Ng
authors: Hong
authors: H
authors: Wang
authors: Francis Fu-Yuen
authors: FF
authors: Lam
authors: Yu-Mei
authors: YM
authors: Zhang
authors: Ning-Hua
authors: NH
authors: Tan
authors: Pang-Chui
authors: PC
authors: Shaw
mesh_terms: D031841:Aconitum / Q000737:chemistry; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002681:China; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004487:Edema / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D006801:Humans; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018517:Plant Roots; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant