Effects of Capparis Spinosa Total Alkaloid on MMP-9 and TIMP-1 Levels in Systemic Sclerosis Mice / 中国中医药信息杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of capparis spinosa total alkaloid on type collagen (ColⅣ - ),Ⅳmatrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in bleomycin-induced systemic sclerosis (SSc) mice; To explore the effective mechanism of capparis spinosa total alkaloid on fibrosis of SSc. Methods Totally 90 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, penicillamine group and capparis spinosa total alkaloid low-, medium- and high-dose group. Mice models with SSc were established by repeated local injections of bleomycin in mice back, except for the control group. Mice in medication groups received external application with capparis spinosa total alkaloid cream;mice in penicillamine group were given penicillamine for gavage; mice in the control and model group received external application without substance, one time a day, for 60 days. The contents of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and PAI-1 in serum and Col- in skin tissue were dⅣ etected respectively by ELISA after the last medication. Results Compared with the model group, the levels of MMP-9 and ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 markedly increased and the levels of Col-Ⅳand TIMP-1 markedly decreased in medium and high- dose of capparis spinosa total alkaloid group (P0.05). Conclusion Capparis spinosa total alkaloid is effective in treating fibrosis of SSc by adjusting imbalance of MMP-9/TIMP-1 and decreasing expression of Col-Ⅳ.