Korean J Pediatr.  2004 Jun;47(6):677-684.

Effect of a Flavon Extracted from Artemisia absinthium on Collagen Induced Arthritis in Mice

• Choi KM
• Hwang DH
• Shin KM
• Yoon DY
• Kim DS

Abstract

PURPOSE
In this study, a possible suppressive effect of a flavon extracted from Artemisia absinthium on a mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model was investigated.
METHODS
DBA/1 mice were injected intradermally with emulsified chicken type II collagen. Three weeks after immunization, a flavon was introduced p.o. everyday. Clinical incidences of arthritis and arthritis index were measured. Measurement of anti-collagen antibodies and a stimulation index of the splenocytes of the mice were measured. IL-10 and TNF-alpha in the supernatants of the mice sera were measured by ELISA. mRNA expression for IL-10 and TNF-alpha in the splenocytes were tested.
RESULTS
Flavon extracted from Artemisia absinthium appears to be an effective suppressor of CIA in mice. The serum anti-collagen antibody level and stimulation index of the cultured splenocytes showed no significant differences among the three experimental groups. Also serum IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels did not show any significant differences among the three experimental groups. An increased expression of mRNA for IL-10 was observed in the splenocytes treated with flavon.
CONCLUSION
With these results, flavon extracted from Artemisia absinthium appears to have a suppressive effect of CIA. The mechanism of the suppressive effect of flavon extracted from Artemisia absinthium may be from a stimulation of IL-10 production.

Keyword

Flavon; Artemisia absinthium; Collagen induced arthritis; IL-10; TNF-alpha

MeSH Terms

Animals
Antibodies
Artemisia absinthium*
Artemisia*
Arthritis*
Arthritis, Experimental
Chickens
Collagen Type II
Collagen*
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Immunization
Incidence
Interleukin-10
Mice*
RNA, Messenger
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Antibodies
Collagen
Collagen Type II
Interleukin-10
RNA, Messenger
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha