Inhibition by Artocarpus tonkinensis of the Development of Collagen‐Induced Arthritis in Rats

Abstract

Extracts of the leaves and roots from the tree Artocarpus tonkinensis A Cheval (family Moraceae) are used in traditional Vietnamese medicine in order to treat backache as well as rheumatic joint diseases. We prepared an ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract from this plant and tested its anti-inflammatory properties in an experimental arthritis model, collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). CIA was induced in Dark Agouti rats by means of immunization with collagen type II (CII) emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Starting at the day of immunization, the rats were treated daily with intraperitoneal injections of Artocarpus extract. Arthritis progression was measured by means of clinical scoring of paws and anti-CII antibody titres were measured by means of ELISA. In vitro, lymph node (LN) cell cultures were treated with Artocarpus extract and the apoptosisinducing effect was determined with FACS staining by using annexin V and propidium iodide as well as the TUNEL method. Treatment of the rats with Artocarpus extract decreased arthritis incidence and severity and delayed disease onset. When treatment was started after the onset of arthritis, a tendency towards arthritis amelioration was observed. In vitro, Artocarpus extract acted as a T-cell modulator, inhibiting mitogen-induced T-cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis of activated LN-derived lymphocytes. Thus, we have demonstrated that an EtOAc extract of Artocarpus, a plant traditionally used in Vietnamese folk medicine for treating arthritic conditions, has beneficial effects in an experimental arthritis model. This effect is likely to be T cell-dependent and mediated through apoptosis induction in activated cells.

Artocarpus tonkinensis Protects Mice Against Collagen-Induced Arthritis and Decreases Th17 Cell Function

“…Intraperitoneal injection of its ethyl acetate extract decreased both arthritis incidence and severity and delayed disease onset in rats with CIA. The extract also inhibited mitogen-induced T cell proliferation and stimulated apoptosis of activated lymph node-derived lymphocytes (Ngoc et al, 2005).…”

Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine in Vietnamese Populations: A Review of Health Perceptions and Therapies

“…The ethyl acetate extract from this plant was also tested for anti-inflammatory properties; intraperitoneal injections of A. tonkinensis extract decreased both arthritis incidence and severity and delayed disease onset in rats with collagen-induced arthritis. In vitro, an extract induced apoptosis in lymph node cell cultures, inhibited mitogen-induced Tcell proliferation, and induced apoptosis of activated LN-derived lymphocytes [54]. In addition, four individual active components isolated from A. tonkinensis have anti-inflammatory effects, which correlate with the tree's inhibition of mitogen-induced T-cell proliferation.…”

Cutting Edge of Herbal Drugs over Allopathic Drugs in Clinical Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…The release of such free radicals may induce the production of interleukins (IL) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) from T-cells which ultimately influence the production of growth factors, cytokines and Adhesive molecules on immune cells as such factors may cause tissue destruction and inflammation ( Figure 1). Pathological changes in RA are hyperplasia of synovial membrane, infiltration of inflammatory cells and neovascularisation, which result into cartilage erosion and articular destruction [5]. The goal of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis patients are to eliminate symptoms, slow disease progression, and optimize quality of life [6].…”