ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:To study the anti-inflammatory effect of Xinfeng capsule on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in rats. METH-ODS:70 SD rats were randomized into a normal control group(isovolumetric normal saline),a model control group(isovolumet-ric normal saline),a positive control TCM group [Qufeng zhitong capsule 0.4 g(crude drug)/kg],a positive control chemical medi-cine group(Leflunomide tablet 2.1 mg/kg)and groups of low,middle and high doses of Xinfeng capsule,which were respectively marked as groups A,B,C,D,E,F and G. All groups of rats except for Group A were given freund’s complete adjuvant intracu-taneous injection to establishe AA models,and from the 12th day after the inflammation was induced,were given the correspond-ing drug,ig,for 28 consecutive days. The degree of toe swelling and arthritis index were determined and calculated for all groups of rats before and after the administration. The contents of interleukin 1β(IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) in serum and synovial membrane of all groups of rats were determined 24 h after the last administration,and pathomorphological changes of their ankles were observed by light microscope. RESULTS:Compared to group A,group B demonstrated higher degree of toe swelling,arthritis index and contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and synovial membrane,with statistical significance(P<0.01). After the administration,the degree of toe swelling and arthritis index of groups C,D,E,F and G reduced,with statistical signifi-cance(P<0.05). Compared to group B,groups C,D,E,F and G showed lower degree of toe swelling,arthritis index and con-tents of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and synovial membrane,with statistical significance(P<0.01 or P<0.05). Synovial membrane hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration were noted in the ankle tissue of the rats in group B,and such symptoms were not so serious in groups C,D,F and G. CONCLUSIONS:Xinfeng capsule has anti-inflammatory effect for AA rats by a mechanism which may be related to accelerating synoviocyte apoptosis and inhibiting synovial membrane hyperplasia.