Effects of Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules on autophagy proteins of Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats / 中成药

ABSTRACT

AIM To observe the effects of Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules (Cinnamomi Ramulus,Poria,Epimedii Folium,etc.) on autophagy proteins of Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats and to explore the possible mechanism of action.METHODS Sixty SD rats were randomized into six groupsnormal group,model group,Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules (0.8,1.6,3.2 g/kg) groups and tripterygium glycosides (TPT,40 mg/kg) group.In addition to the normal group,adjuvant arthritis (AA) was induced with Freund's complete adjuvant.From the 2th day after injection of FCA,Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules with different doses and TPT were given by gavage once a day for 12 days.At the end of the experiment,ankle-joint samples were taken to examine the degree of AA by HE.Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ mRNA were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.Meanwhile,the protein expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ were determined by immunofluorescence histochemical staining and Western blot.RESULTS As compared with the model group,Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules (1.60,3.20 g/kg) not only significantly reduced histopathological injuries,but also effectively up-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ.CONCLUSION Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules has a therapeutic action on AA in rats,which might be partly associated with promoting autophagy,decreasing excessive proliferation of synovial cells,leading to the reduction of damage to articular cartilage.