Effects of Herbal-acupuncture with Coicis Semen Solution at Joksamni (ST36) on Collagen-induced Arthritis in DBA/1J Mouse

족삼리(足三里) 의이인약침(薏苡仁藥鍼)이 Collagen으로 유발(誘發)된 생쥐의 관절염(關節炎)에 미치는 영향(影響)

Objectives & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Coicis Semen Herbal-acupuncture solution (CS-HAS) at the Joksamni (ST36) on the collagen-induced arthritis in the DBA/1J mouse. The author performed several experiments to analyze the effects of CS-HAS on arthritis; change of the weight; the spleen size and adhesion rate; serum cytokine levels; serum antibody levels; changes of immunocyte counts; the histological changes of joint. Results : In the Coicis Semen Herbal-acupuncture (CS-HA), arthritis index, the incidence of arthritis, and the degree of joint edema were decreased. In CS-HA, there was no weight loss. The size of the spleen, adhesion rate, and the edema and transformation of joint were lowered. In CS-HA, the levels of IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gamma}$, IgG, IgM, and anti-collagen II in serum and the levels of IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-10 in spleen were significantly decreased. In CS-HA, the expression ratios of $CD45^+$ to $CD3e^+$ and $CD8^+$ to $CD4^+$ were decreased. Also, the overall $CD4^+/CD8^+$ cell ratio was lowered in spleen. Ratios of the $CD4^+/CD25^+$, $CD45^+/CD69^+$ cells were decreased in lymph nodes. In addition, ratios of the $CD3^+/CD69^+$, $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells were also decreased in synovium. In the histological study, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation, and collagen fiber destruction were decreased with CS-HA treated group. Conclusions : From the results mentioned above, it is suggested that CS-HA at the ST36 has several significant effects on the collagen-induced arthritis.