title: Xitong Wan attenuates inflammation development through inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor-κB in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Xitong Wan (XTW), a traditional Chinese herbs formula, has been used to treat "Bi Zheng" in the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for hundreds of years. However, no scientific validation is available on the anti-rheumatic effect of XTW.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was carried out to investigate the effects of XTW on joints swelling, joints destruction, production of inflammatory mediators and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA).
  
  
  METHODS
  AIA was induced by intradermal injection of Complete Freund's adjuvant in the footpad of Wistar rats. Paw volume was measured every 7 days during XTW treatment. Histological score was calculated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Osteoclast number in articular tissues was counted by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining. Levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Levels of NF-κBp65 and inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB)α in synovium were analyzed by Western blot assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with AIA group rats, XTW significantly decreased the paw volume of AIA rats. Meanwhile, XTW significantly reduced the histological score and osteoclast number in articular tissues of AIA rats. In addition, XTW markedly abated the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in serum, as well as enhanced the level of IκBα in synovium of AIA rats. However, XTW did not show significant effect on the level of p65 in synovium of AIA rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that XTW attenuates the inflammation development through inhibiting the NF-κB-mediated proinflammatory cytokines production in AIA rats. Our study provides the scientific evidence of XTW on treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the clinical practice of TCM.
authors: Department of Combination of Chinese and Western Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China. Electronic address: jiaping008@163.com.
authors: Ping
authors: P
authors: Jia
authors: College of Environment and Resource, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, PR China.
authors: Gang
authors: G
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Combination of Chinese and Western Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China.
authors: Wen-Yi
authors: WY
authors: Qin
authors: Department of Combination of Chinese and Western Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China.
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Zhong
authors: Department of Combination of Chinese and Western Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China.
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Combination of Chinese and Western Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China.
authors: Xiao-Feng
authors: XF
authors: Rong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D016328:NF-kappa B
keywords: Adjuvant-induced arthritis; Nuclear factor-κB; Rheumatoid arthritis; Xitong Wan