Effects of Lijie Tongbi Liquor on Collagen-Induced Arthritis Rats

OBJECTIVE To investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Lijie Tongbi liquor(LJTB) on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) rats and the effects on joint damage. METHODS CIA rats' model was established by injection of Bovine Type Ⅱ Collagen. Forty CIA rats were grouped into 4 groups, LJTB two different dose groups(LJTB 15.5, 7.75 g·kg^-1), model group and Tripterygium glycosides group(positive group) respectively. And another 10 normal rats were grouped as normal control. The drug was given orally for 4 weeks. General behavior of rats, arthritis index(AI), foot swelling degree, pain threshold, liver function indexes(ALT, AST) and renal function indexes(Cr, BUN) were measured at regular intervals. After administration, serum C-reactive protein(CRP) and rheumatoid factor(RF) levels were detected in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and joints' pathological damage situations were studied by HE staining of joint sections. RESULTS After 3 weeks of administration, compared with model group, LJTB can significantly decreased foot swelling degree and AI(P<0.05 or P<0.01). And after 4 weeks' continuous administration, foot swelling degree, AI, serum CRP and RF levels were significantly decreased in LJTB 15.5 g·kg^-1 group(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and pain threshold were significantly increased(P<0.05), at the same time, joint injury of which were eased. LJTB 15.5 and 7.75 g·kg^-1 didn't play any significantly impact on liver and kidney functions(ALT, AST, Cr and BUN) of rats. CONCLUSION LJTB can regulate inflammatory of rats and relieves joint cartilage damage via decreased CRP. Also, pain threshold of rats was significantly increased without liver and kidney toxicity.