Effects of extracts from Paederia scandens (LOUR.) MERRILL (Rubiaceae) on MSU crystal-induced rats gouty arthritis.

The effects of extract of Paederia scandens (LOUR.) MERRILL (Rubiaceae) (EPS), a Chinese traditional herbal medicine, on inflammatory and immune responses and their mechanisms in MSU crystals-induced (GA) rats were studied. GA rats were established. Ankle joint volume of rats was measured by volume meter; the level of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta was determined by radioimmunoassay. mRNA expressions of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in synovial tissue of GA rats were analyzed by RT-PCR, and the expression of NF-kappaB was detected by immunohistochemistry. The administration of EPS (2.25, 4.5 g/kg, ig 9 days) inhibited the inflammatory response in GA rats. The mRNA expressions of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were also significantly suppressed in synovial tissue. In addition, EPS (2.25, 4.5 g/kg, ig 9 days) inhibited the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta and the biological activity of NF-kappaB. These results suggested that EPS possesses antiinflammatory effects by modulating pro-inflammatory mediators' production in synovial tissue and inactivating NF-kappaB pathway transmembrane signal transduction which plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of this disease.