Pain relieving and protective effects of Astragalus hydroalcoholic extract in rat arthritis models. (29th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maresca, Mario; Micheli, Laura; Cinci, Lorenzo; Bilia, Anna Rita; Ghelardini, Carla; Di Cesare Mannelli, Lorenzo
• Is Part Of: Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. Volume 69:Number 12(2017:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1858
• Page End: 1870
• Publication Date: 2017-09-29
• Subjects: anti-inflammatory -- arthritis -- articular pain -- Astragalus hydroalcoholic extract -- pain reliever; Pharmacy -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1111/jphp.12828
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3573

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: The evaluation of the pharmacological profile of the dried 50% hydroalcoholic extract (50%HA) of Astragali radix in two different animal models of articular damage resembling osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA) or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was intra-articular injected (day 0) in the rat tibiotarsal joint to induce damages mimicking osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Pain measurements (responses to non-noxious and noxious stimuli, spontaneous pain, articular pain) were assessed on days 7 and 14. On day 14, the tibiotarsal joints were explanted in order to measure the diameter and to assess histological evaluations. Furthermore, the plasmatic concentrations of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured. Key findings: A single administration of 50%HA (300 mg/kg per os) significantly reduced both MIA-induced pain and CFA-induced pain (78% and 96% pain relief, respectively). The repeated administration prevented the development of hypersensitivity on day 14. The haematoxylin/eosin staining revealed that 50% HA attenuated joint alterations in MIA-injected rats, and furthermore, the joint inflammatory infiltrate was reduced in both models (by about 50%). In CFA-treated rats, 50%HA lowered the plasmatic levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α as well as the joint diameter. Conclusions: The 50% hydroalcoholic extract of Astragali radix is a valuable candidate for the adjuvant treatment of articular diseases.