Influence Of Litsea Cubeba Root Decoction On The Serum TNF-α Levels Of Collagen Ⅱ-induced Arthritis (CIA) In Rats

Objictive To observe the influence of Litsea cubeba root decoction on the serum TNF- α levels of collagen II-induced arthritis(CIA) in rats .To explore the mechanism of Litsea cubeba root decoction in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis disease. Methods fifty male SD rats were twice injected(1^st and 21^st day) in soles intradermaly with type II collagen from chicken sternal cartilage to induce arthritis model.Rats were distributed into three groups randomly and perfused respectively fourteen days with physiological salinel.5ml,Tripterygium glycosides solutionsl.5ml dissolved 1.25mg Tripterygium glycosides(equally dosage of human 70mg) and Litsea cubeba root solutions 1.5ml dissolved Litsea cubeba root1.6g( equally dosage of human 90g raw herb) .The serum TNF-α levels of the four groups were tested with ELISA,two hindlimbs were weighed cutting away from the pulley line of ankle joint.Results The incidence of arthritis in the rats immunized with collagen II was approximately 87.5%.The serum TNF- α levels of the model group , Tripterygium glycosides group, Litsea cubeba root group were notably higher than those of the normal group (p<0.001). The serum TNF-α levels of the Tripterygium glycosides group, Litsea cubeba root group were notably higher than those of the model group (p<0.01) ,but The serum TNF-α levels of the Tripterygium glycosides group was no significant compared with that of Litsea cubeba root group( p>0.05). The swelling of two hindlimbs the model group , Tripterygium glycosides group, Litsea cubeba root group were notably higher than those of the normal group (p<0.05) ,but there were no significant among the model group , Tripterygium glycosides group and Litsea cubeba root group (p>0.05) .We also noticed that there were linear positive correlation between the serum TNF-α levels and swelling of hindlimbs and iNOS content in the model group (p<0.05) .Conclusion Litsea cubeba root solutions can inhibit the serum TNF- α levels of collagen II-induced arthritis(CIA) in rats. There were linear positive correlation between the serum TNF- α levels and joint swelling and iNOS content, but the no difference of swelling oftwo hindlimbs were observed among the model group , Tripterygium glycosides group andLitsea cubeba root group.