Study on effects of Yishen Juanbi Pill on histopathologic changes in ankle joint of type II collagen induced arthritis in rats and its mechanism / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the therapeutical effect of Yishen Juanbi Pill (YJP) on type II collagen induced arthritis (CIA) in rats and the histopathologic changes in ankle joint and to explore its possible mechanism on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: The therapeutical effect of YJP on CIA rat paw swelling and the histopathologic morphology of the local tissue of ankle joint were observed by the type II CIA rat model. The expression of VEGF of the synovial membrane was assayed by the immunohistochemical method. The changes in VEGF gene expression of peripheral lymphocytes and hepatic tissue were analyzed with gene chip after the treatment with YJP. Results: The decreased swelling degrees of foot of rats in low-, mid-, and high-dose YJP groups were increased obviously than that of the model group (P 1.5). Conclusion: YJP can significantly inhibit joint swelling. YJP can significantly down-regulate the VEGF-B gene expression, thereby inhibit the formation of synovial tissue pannus and reduce cartilage and bone damages.