EMBELIN FROM EMBELIA RIBES SUPPRESSES CARTILAGE DAMAGE AND AMELIORATES INFLAMMATION IN AN EXPERIMENTAL RAT ADJUVANT INDUCED ARTHRITIS MODEL

Kalyan Kumar G, Dhamotharan R,Vinitha Lakshmi.P,and Sujatha R

ABSTRACT

The Embelin a quinone derivative (3-undecyl 2,5-dihydroxy, 1,4-benzoquinone) from the fruit of the Embelia ribes Burm. plant (Myrsinaceae) called false black pepper has been proven to exhibit antihelmintic, antifertility, antitumor, antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. The present study was undertaken to investigate the therapeutic potential of Embelin, on adjuvant arthritis in rat as well as the possible mechanisms. Adjuvant arthritis (AA) was induced in rats on day 0. Embelin 10, 30 and 50 mg kg −1 day−1, or prednisone 10mgkg−1 day−1 was given to rats orally from day 19 to day 24. Embelin significantly inhibited paw swelling and bone destruction in AA rats. Serum level of IgG anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis antibodies and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis were also decreased by Embelin. The effects of Embelin were associated with decreased interleukin-1β (IL-1 β) mRNA expression in ankle joint synovial membrane and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF--α) mRNA expression in homogenized paws along with histological and radiological analysis from adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. These findings suggested that Embelin had a therapeutic effect on adjuvant arthritis.

Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis antibodies and delayed-type hypersensitivity.