The Efficacy of Shikonin on Cartilage Protection in a Mouse Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
10.4196/kjpp.2010.14.4.199
- Author:
Young Ock KIM
1
;
Seung Jae HONG
;
Sung Vin YIM
Author Information
1. Department of Herbal Crop Research, National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Eumseong 369-873, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Shikonin;
Bone mineral density;
Bone mineral contents;
MMP-1;
TIMP-1
- MeSH:
Animals;
Arthritis, Experimental;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid;
Bone Density;
Cartilage;
Collagen;
Collagen Type II;
Cytokines;
Immunization;
Incidence;
Joints;
Mice;
Models, Animal;
Models, Theoretical;
Naphthoquinones;
Tibia;
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1
- From:The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
2010;14(4):199-204
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
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.
