Abstract

This study was to investigate the effects of Chinese medicinal compound ‘Naobitong’ (NBT) on hyperalgesia, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) level, histo-pathological changes and X-ray images of inflamed joint in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. Monoarthritic model was induced by intra-articular (tibio-tarsal joint) injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). Aspirin (100 mg/kg) and normal saline were used as positive and negative control, respectively. Hyperalgesia was measured by paw pressure-withdrawal test. ELISA analysis was used to detect the serum IL-6 level. Conventional methods were used to examine the histo-pathological changes and to take the X-ray images of inflamed joint. Our results showed that NBT could significantly attenuate the hyperalgesia during 6 week period of treatment. In addition, NBT robustly decreased the serum IL-6 level and significantly ameliorated the histo-pathological changes, as well as the X-ray images of inflamed joint. Our results suggested that NBT played antihyperalgesic and probably, some anti-inflammatory roles for adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.

Key words: Naobitong (NBT), hyperalgesia, interleukin-6, adjuvant-induced arthritis.