Anti-arthritic Effects of Total Flavonoids from Juniperus sabina on Complete Freund's Adjuvant Induced Arthritis in Rats.
BACKGROUND
Twigs and leaves of Juniperus sabina L. have been traditionally used as the medicinal herb in China for the treatment of many ailments including rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


OBJECTIVE
To confirm the therapeutic effect of total flavonoids from J. sabina (JSTF) on RA-induced by Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) in rats.


METHODS
Wistar rats (200 ± 20 g) were immunized by intradermal injection of 0.1 mL of CFA into the right hind metatarsal footpad. JSTF was administered orally at the dose of 125,250 and 500 mg/kg on 14 days after the induction of adjuvant arthritis. Tripterygium glycoside (20 mg/kg) was used as a positive control. Paw swelling, arthritic score, body weight loss, serum cytokines, inflammatory mediators, and histological change were measured.


RESULTS
We found that JSTF could ameliorate paw swelling of CFA rats, and significantly inhibit arthritic score (P < 0.05). The overproduction of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1beta were remarkably suppressed in the serum of JSTF (125,500 mg/kg) treated rats (P < 0.05). Histopathological studies also showed a marked decrease of synovial inflammatory infiltration and synovial lining hyperplasia in the joints of JSTF-treated animals. Six flavonoids were isolated and from JSTF by various chromatographic methods and identified as follows: Catechin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, isoscutellarein 7-O-β-D-xylopyranoside, isoscutellarein 7-O-β-D-xylopyranose-(1 → 3)-α-L-rhamnoside, and rutin.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest the potential therapeutically effect of JSTF as an anti-arthritis agent toward CFA-induced arthritis in rats, and verified therapeutic applications of J. sabina on RA in folk medicine.


CONCLUSIONS
Twigs and leaves of Juniperus sabina L. have been traditionally used as the medicinal herb in China for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritisJSTF could ameliorate paw swelling of CFA rats, and significantly inhibit arthritic scoreHistopathological studies showed a marked decrease of synovial inflammatory infiltration and synovial lining hyperplasia in the joints of JSTF-treated animalsSix flavonoids were isolated and from JSTF including: Catechin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, isoscutellarein 7-O-β-D-xylopyranoside, isoscutellarein 7-O-β-D-xylopyranose-(1 → 3)-α-L- rhamnoside, and rutin. Abbreviations used: JSTF: Total flavonoids from Juniperus sabina; CFA: Complete Freund's Adjuvant; TG: Tripterygium glycoside; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor alpha; IL-1β: Interleukin 1beta; IL-6: Interleukin 6; H and E: Hematoxylin and eosin.
Xinjiang Key Laboratory Uighur Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica of Xinjiang, Urumqi, 830004, China.
Jun
J
Zhao
Department of Toxicology, College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, China.
Tao
T
Liu
Department of Toxicology, College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, China.
Fang
F
Xu
Department of Toxicology, College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, China.
Shuping
S
You
Xinjiang Key Laboratory Uighur Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica of Xinjiang, Urumqi, 830004, China.
Fang
F
Xu
Xinjiang Key Laboratory Uighur Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica of Xinjiang, Urumqi, 830004, China.
Chenyang
C
Li
Xinjiang Key Laboratory Uighur Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica of Xinjiang, Urumqi, 830004, China.
Zhengyi
Z
Gu
Anti-arthritic effect; Juniperus sabina L; flavonoids