Effect of Herbal-acupuncture with Erythrinae Cortex Solution at the Joksamni($ST_{36}$) of Mice with Collagen-induced Arthritis

해동피약침(海桐皮藥鍼)이 Collagen-induced Arthritis 억제 및 면역조절에 미치는 영향

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of Erythrinae Cortex herbal-acupuncture solution(EC-HAS) at the Joksamni($ST_{36}$) of mice with collagen II-induced arthritis(CIA). Methods : The author performed several experimental procedures to observe the effects of the EC-HAS at the arthritis. The severity of arthritis, changes of cytokine level and antibody level, histological changes of the CIA mouse joint were analyzed. Results : 1. The incidence of arthritis and arthritis index were significantly decreased in the cases which were treated with the EC-HA. 2. Cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation were reduced, and the expression of the collagen fibers was similar with that of the normal group. 3. The levels of IL-6, $IFN-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ in serum of the CIA mice which were treated with the EC-HA were significantly decreased compared with those of the normal group. 4. The levels of IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II in serum of CIA mice when they treated with the EC-HA were significantly decreased compared with those of the normal group. 5. The expression ratio of $CD4^+$ to $CD8^+$ cells in the EC-HA treated mice were maintained as much as the normal group of the lymph nodes in the CIA mice. 6. The $CD3e^+CD69^+$ and $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$ cell populations in the knee joint were significantly decreased in the EC-HA treated group. Conclusions : These results suggest that the EC-HA at the ST36 may be responsible roles to control on the synovial cell proliferation and to prevent the cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. These results will be important supporting evidence for the practical use of the EC-HA at rheumatoid arthritis clinic in the future.