Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies have shown that the compound Chinese medicine can effectively lower receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand or up-regulate osteoprotegerin and regulate receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand/osteoprotegerin to inhibit joint damage and bone resorption.
OBJECTIVE: To observe Peng Cao rheumatism-syndrome dispelling decoction’s effect on cytokines, bone resorption and remodeling of rats with rheumatoid arthritis.
METHODS: Sixty Wistar rats were randomized into six groups: blank group, model group, high-, middle- and low- dosage Peng Cao rheumatism-syndrome dispelling decoction groups and Tripterygium wilfordii group. Except blank and model group, other groups were administrated intragastrically once a day for 28 days.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the model group, other groups had a remarkable effect on relieving right foot swelling (P < 0.01 or 0.05). The levels of serum interleukin 1β, prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor α were significantly lower in the treatment groups than the model group (P < 0.01). The middle- and high-dose Peng Cao rheumatism-syndrome dispelling decoction had a better effect than Tripterygium wilfordii (P < 0.05). The expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B and osteoprotegerin were significantly lower in the treatment groups than the model group (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that Peng Cao rheumatism-syndrome dispelling decoction is capable of improving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis effectively and restraining bone erosion. The mechanism may relate to the following aspects: ① Reduction in levels of interleukin 1β, prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor α in serum; ② Expression restraint on receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand in the joint of rats with rheumatoid arthritis.