Effects of agkistrodon in different dosage forms on collagen-induced arthritis in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effective dosage and formulation of agkistrodon in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats.


METHODS
CIA was induced by injection of collagen in complete/incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Agkistrodon decoction, agkistrodon powder, and agkistrodon wine were administered daily starting from the onset of arthritis. Paw swelling degree was measured by using a volume-measuring instrument every 7 days after primary immunization. Arthritis index was measured and calculated using the "five scoring method" every 7 days. The levels of serum interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and type II collagen IgG antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, all ankles were removed, and X-ray radiography was performed with In-vivo Imaging System FX. Samples were counterstained with hematoxylin and eosin for analysis.


RESULTS
Among the various dosage formulations of agkistrodon, high-dose powder, which was equivalent to an amount of 6 g/day in adults, showed better effects on the inhibition of joint swelling and reduction of arthritis index score. The relatively low levels of serum IL-1 and anti-type II collagen IgG antibodies, as well as the X-ray radiography and pathology results, further proved the superiority of the high-dose powder over the other formulations. The effect of decoction on inhibiting joint swelling was inversely proportional to the dosage. Other effects, such as reduction of arthritis index score and the levels of serum IL-1 and anti-type II collagen IgG antibodies, were directly proportional to the dosage. While the use of large dose agkistrodon wine led to negative effects.


CONCLUSIONS
These data highlight the potential function of high-dose agkistrodon powder, which was equivalent to an amount of 6 g/day in adults. The powder can quickly relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and prevent aggravation of disease, especially during the early period.
Laboratory of Rheumatoid Immune, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
Jie
J
Bao
Laboratory of Rheumatoid Immune, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
Zhi-Jun
ZJ
Xie
Laboratory of Rheumatoid Immune, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
Lei-Ming
LM
Chen
Zhejiang Xinhua Hospital, Hangzhou, 310005, China. tomorrow123go@163.com.
Jing
J
Sun
Laboratory of Rheumatoid Immune, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
Yong-Sheng
YS
Fan
D017836:Agkistrodon / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000276:immunology; D004304:Dosage Forms; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005121:Extremities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000906:Antibodies; D024043:Collagen Type II; D004304:Dosage Forms; D053583:Interleukin-1beta
Chinese medicine; agkistrodon; collagen-induced arthritis; different dosage forms; rheumatoid arthritis