• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.87-99
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• 2008

To investigate the effects of ESWTT on rheumatoid arthritis in collagen-induced arthritis mice model, the animals were orally administrated with the extract following by analyzing the changes of lymphocyte composition in spleen with flow cytometry. These results suggest as follows; 1. ESWTT decreased the total cell number of spleen at 400 and 200 mg/kg about 41% and 32%, respectively. 2. ESWTT reduced the number of CD19+ cells in spleen at 400 and 200 mg/kg about 51% and 46%, respectively. 3. ESWTT down-regulated the number spleen CD3+ cells approximately 26% at 400 mg/kg-treated group. 4. ESWTT decreased the number of CD3+/CD69+ cells in spleen at 400 and 200 mg/kg about 79% and 76%, respectively. 5. ESWTT reduced the number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in spleen, however, the results were not significant. 6. ESWTT decreased the number of CD4+/CD25+ cells in spleen at 400 and 200 mg/kg about 60% and 56%, respectively. Taken together these results, ESWTT has an efficacy on rheumatoid arthritis through inhibiting the proliferation of lymphocytes such as B and T cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.982-991
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• 2007

The present study was done to assess the suppressive effects of Haedongpi-san(HDPS), a traditional herbal medicine, on collagen induced arthritis (CIA) in mice and to examined it's effects on immune system. Oral administration of HDPS (200 or 400 mg/Kg) significantly suppressed the progression of CIA, which extend is comparable to that of methotrexate (MTX, 30 mg/Kg), a positive control. Histological examinations reveled that HDPS inhibited infiltration of inflammatory cells into affected paw joint, and bone erosion and cartilage destruction were greatly reduced compared with control. In paw joint, the number of CD3+ cells and CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells were greatly reduced by HDPS. The levels of pathologic cytokines including TNF-a and IL-6 were significantly decreased in the serum by oral treatment with HDPS. The levels of $IFN-{\gamma}$ in the culture supernatant of splenocyte stimulated with CD3/CD28 or collagen were dramatically decreased, while those of IL-4 was increased. Rheumatoid factors including IgG, IgM and collagen specific antibody were present much lower in the serum of HDPS treated mice than control. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HDPS treated mice, the percentage of CD3+, CD3+/CD69+, CD4+, CD4+/CD25+ cells were significantly decreased, while CD19+ cells were slightly increased compared with control. The absolute number of CD19+, CD3+, CD3+/CD69+, CD4+/CD25+, CD49b+ cell in spleen from HDPS treated mice were significantly decreased. The absolute number of CD3+, CD3+/CD69+, CD4+, CD4+/CD25+ CD8+, CD49b+, CD3+/CD49b+ cells in draining lymph node were significantly increased compared with control. Taken together, HDPS has suppressive effects on rheumatoid arthritis by modulating immune system, and has potential to use as an therapeutic for rheumatoid arthritis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.18-29
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• 2011

Objectives: To investigate anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of Gyulpidaehwangbakcho-tang (GDBT) extract in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: The mice received $100{\mu}g$ of bovine type II collagen in Freund's complete adjuvant by intradermal injection at the base of the tail on day 0 and a booster injection on day 21. The mice were orally administered with GDBT (200 or 50mg/kg dissolved in distilled water) daily from day 1 to day 21 after arthritis incidence, and monitored for disease incidence and the severity of arthritis up to day 21. In order to evaluate the effect of GDBT on disease progression, we examined pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2 and NOS-II. Results: GDBT produced a significant and dose dependent inhibition of arthritis and inflammation during the entire duration of the study. This action was characterized by the decreased production of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2, and NOS-II in vivo. Conclusion: We believe that the anti-arthritic activity of GDBT is due to its modulatory effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine in the synovium. Our results contribute towards validation of the traditional use of GDBT in the treatment of RA and other inflammatory joint disorders.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.98-104
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• 2002

Objectives: Calpain, a calcium-dependent cysteine proteinase, may be one of the proteolytic enzymes that mediate cartilage degradation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The object of this study is to ascertain immunohistochemically whether calpain is present in the inflamed joints of collagen-induced arthritis of rats, and examine the effect of Cortex Acanthopanacis Senticosi on the expression of calpain. Methods: Male Lewis rats, around 200g of body weight, were immunized with bovine type II collagen. After 3 weeks from first immunization, rats were divided into arthritic control (n=6) group and Cortex Acanthopanacis Senticosi-treated (n=6) group. Non-immunized rats served as the normal (n=6) group. All animals were sacrificed at 15 days post-treatment and tibiotarsal joints were removed. Calpain immunohistochemistry was performed on the midsagittal section of the tibiotarsal joint. Results: All animals of the control and treated groups showed ankylosing osteoarthritis. However, the animals of the treated group showed alleviation in the fibrous ankylosis, destruction of articular cartilage and destruction of subchondral bony tissue compared with the animals of the control group. Calpain was expressed in the chondrocyte lacunae of growing articular cartilage, in the skeletal muscle fibers, in the peripheral nerves, and in the vessel walls around the joints of all groups. In the control and treated groups, calpain was also expressed in proliferating synovial epithelia, subsynovial stroma cells, surface of articular cartilage, and fibrous pannus around destructive subchondral bony tissue. However, the expression density of calpain in the treated group was diminished compared with the control group, especially in surface of articular cartilage and fibrous pannus. Conclusions: These observations indicated that calpain plays an important role in the destruction of cartilage and bone in collagen-induced arthritis of rats, and also indicated that Cortex Acanthopanacis Senticosi inhibits the development of arthritis by decreasing the expression of calpain.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.394-401
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• 2008

In order to access the suppressive effects of piroxicam (PX) and hydrolyzed products of Scutellariae Radix (PSH) on arthritis, we investigated whether PSH gel could suppress the progression of collagen-induced arthritis. PX, one of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been used in the systemic and topical treatment in a variety of inflammatory conditions. Scutellariae Radix, one of the herbal medicines, was used for the purpose of anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterials. For the purpose of transdermal absorption of the hydrogel preparations, two classes of hydrogels (PX, PSH) were formulated with carbomer 940, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, polyethylene glycol-8-glyceryl caprylate/caprate and triethanolamine. In carrageenan-induced edema in rat hind paws, inhibition of foot swelling was more increased in PSH than PX hydrogel. Rheumatoid factors including serum IgG, IgM and collagen specific antibody were present much lower in PSH gel treated mice than control. Histological examination revealed that PSH hydrogel inhibited infiltration of inflammatory cells into affected paw joint, compared with control. The PSH hydrogel would be a suitable preparation to increase transdermal treatment for anti-inflammatory effects on collagen-induced arthritis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1311-1314
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• 2006

This study was peformed to investigate possible mechanisms underlying possible effect of Coicis Semen composition (CSC) on inflammatory diseases using in vivo model of RA in the mice. Results are summarized as follows. In production of inflammatory cytokines, INF-${\gamma}$ in the spleen and IL-6 in the serum were decreased by CSC treatment. TNF-${\alpha}$ in serum was significantly decreased, IL-4 in the spleen was significantly increased by CSC treatment. In production of rheumatoid factors, IgM and IgG were significantly decreased by CSC treatment. The present data suggest that CSC treatment can improve pathological damage by CIA. So we expect that CSC should be used as a effective drugs for not only rheumatoid arthritis but also another autoimmune disease. Therefore we have to survey continuously in looking for the effective substance and mechanism in the future.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1003-1011
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• 2009

This study was carried out to know the effects of Kwanjulbang-6(GJB-6) on the inhibition of arthritis. GJB-6 was orally administered to mouse with arthritis induced by collagen II . Cytotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, arthritis index, value of immunocyte in draining lymph node and paw joint, rheumatoid factor in serum were measured in vivo. The incidence of arthritis was significantly decreased. Total cell number of draining lymph node was significantly increased compared with control. Total cell number of paw joint was significantly decreased compared with control. The absolute number of $CD19^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD3^+/CD69^+$, $CD3^+/CD49b^+$, $CD4^+/CD44^+$, $CD3^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD4^+/CD25^+$ and $CD3^+/CD8^+$ cells in draining lymph node were significantly increased compared with control. The absolute number of $CD3^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD4^+/CD25^+$ and $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells in paw joint were significantly decreased compared with control. The absolute number of $B220^+/CD23^+$ and $MHCII^+/CD11c^+$ cell in draining lymph node were significantly decreased compared with control. The levels of IgG was decreased and The levels of IgM was significantly decreased compared with control. Anti-collagen II in serum was significantly decreased compared with control. With the hematoxylin and eosin stain, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation were decreased compared with control. With the Masson's trichrome stain, the expression of collagen fibers was decreased compared with control. Results showed that GJB-6 had immunomodulatory effects. So we expect that GJB-6 should be used as a effective drugs for not only rheumatoid arthritis but also another auto-immune disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.103-113
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate effect of suppressing the expression of cyclo-oxygenase-type-2 (COX-2) as a consequence of inhibition macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) activation by $Sambucus$ $williamsii$ $Hance$ (SWH) pharmacopunctureon rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods : In vitro test, synoviocytes extracted from type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse's knee joint were cultivated After that, each well of synoviocytes was mixed with the extract of SWH at the dosage of $0.4mg/m{\ell}$, $0.6mg/m{\ell}$, $0.8mg/m{\ell}$, and $1.0mg/m{\ell}$ respectively, and cultivated for 24 hours after the addition. Reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is used to investigate the expression of MIF, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, COX-2 mRNA. $In$ $vivo$ test, thirty DBA female mice were used, and each ten mice were allocated into three group; normal group, CIA-elicitated group, and group treated with SWH pharmacopuncture on it's the point of $ST_{35}$ after CIA elicitation. It is investigated that change of mice foot thickness, histologic change of sliced synovial joint of mouse, and extent change of MIF, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2 in synovial membrane. Results : $In$ $vitro$ test, the expressions of cytokine(MIF, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2) mRNAs related to RA were dose-dependent decreased. In the SWH pharmacopuncture group, foot thickness and histologic change of sliced synovial joint were decreased comparing with CIA-elicitated group's change. In the SWH pharmacopuncture group, the suppression of MIF, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2 in synovial membrane was clearly shown comparing with CIA-elicitated group's change. Conclusions : It might be suggested that SWH pharmacopuncture mitigate tissue damage originated from rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the expression of COX-2 as a consequence of inhibition MIF activation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.199-204
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• 2010

The potential therapeutic action of shikonin in an experimental model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was investigated. As a RA animal model, DBA/1J mice were immunized two times with type II collagen. After the second collagen immunization, mice were orally administered shikonin (2 mg/kg) once a day for 35 days, and the incidence, clinical score, bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and joint histopathology were evaluated. BMD in the proximal regions of the tibia largely increased in the shikonin treatment group compared with the control group. We also examined the effect of shikonin on inflammatory cytokines and cartilage protection. Shikonin treatment significantly reduced the incidence and severity of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), markedly abrogating joint swelling and cartilage destruction. Shikonin also significantly inhibited the production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and up-regulated tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in mice with CIA. In conclusion, shikonin exerted therapeutic effects through regulation of MMP/TIMP; these results suggest that shikonin is an outstanding candidate as a cartilage protective medicine for RA.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2009

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation and progressive cartilage and bone erosion. Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory cytokines like $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-1, -6, and -8, and $IPN-{\gamma}$. In this study, whether KRG extract has an inhibitory effect on the collagen-inducible development of arthritis in DBA/1J mice was investigated. To induce arthritis, type II collagen emulsified in Complete Freund's Adjuvant was intradermally injected into the base of the tails of mice. Three weeks after the initial injection, a booster injection of type II collagen emulsified in Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant was administered. The oral administration of KRG extract for 8${\sim}$10 weeks at the dose of 300 mg/kg (three days a week) inhibited the development of arthritis in the experimental group, compared to the control group which was given saline. While the administration of KRG extract three times a week demonstrated both preventive and inhibitory effects, the administration of KRG extract once a week had little inhibitory effect. In other studies, the regimen of KRG administration has been shown to decrease the plasma level of inflammatory cytokines like IL-8 and TNF-${\alpha}$, but the plasma levels of these cytokines were not decreased in the present study. The results of the present study suggest that KRG has preventive and inhibitory effects on collagen-induced arthritis.