Studies on the Therapeutic Effects of Total Flavonids of Astragalus on Adjuvant Arthritic Rats and Its Mechanism / 中成药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the effect of total flavonoids of astragalus (TFA) on adjuvant arthritic (AA) rats and its mechanism. Methods: The volume of non-injected hind paw of AA rats, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content, interleukin-1(IL-1) and nitrite (NO - 2) produced from articular synoviocytes were measured. Results: It was obseved that serum levels of MDA and the levels of IL-1 and NO - 2 from synoviocytes increased in AA rats, and the degree of the secondary inflammatory reaction of AA rats appeared to be directly correlated with serum levels of MDA and IL-1. Treatment of whole (d0～27) or partial (d12-18 or d18-24) course of AA rats with TFA (20 mg/kg/d,ig) could not only markedly inhibit the inflammatory reaction in AA rats, but also reduce their enhanced serum lipid peroxides (LPO), IL-1 and NO production from synoviocytes. Conclusion: TFA has significant therapeutic effects on AA rats, which might be related to both of anti-oxidative effect and the reduced production of IL-1 and NO from synoviocytes.