Mechanism of Xuan Bi Decoction inhibiting acute gouty arthritis response in rats by regulating COX-2 signal pathway
Objective:The effect of Xuan Bi Decoction on inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)pathway on inflammation in rats with acute gouty arthritis(GA).Methods:Sixty SD rats randomly allocated into control group,model group,celecoxib group(20 mg/kg),Xuan Bi Decoction low-dose group(5 g/kg),Xuan Bi Decoction medium-dose group(10 g/kg),Xuan Bi Decoction high-dose group(20 g/kg),with 10 rats in each group.The classic method of Coderre was used to establish a rat gout model and observe the general condition of each group of rats;analysis of rat gait scores and joint swelling of rats;the histopathological growth of rat ankle Sy-novial membrane were observed by HE staining;the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β,TNF-α,PGE2 and LTB4 in rats joint fluid were detected by ELISA;Western blot detection of PGE2 receptor 2(EP2)and LTB receptor 1(BLT1)expressions in rats ankle syno-vial tissue;qRT-PCR to detect the effect of mRNA expression of COX-2 and 5-lipoxygenase(5-LOX).Results:Rats in the model group had swollen joints,lameness,lusterless fur and mental lethargy;the rats in the celecoxib group and Xuan Bi Decoction low,medium and high dose groups showed effective improvement in related symptoms;compared with control group,the gait score,degree of joint swelling,degree of histopathology,IL-1β,TNF-α,PGE2,LTB4,COX-2,5-LOX,EP2 and BLT1 levels of the rats in the model group were significantly higher(P<0.05);compared with the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib,Xuan Bi Decoction(20 g/kg)showed better anti-arthritic properties in rats treated with MSU crystals,accompanied by reduced expression of IL-1β,TNF-α,PGE2,LTB4,COX-2,5-LOX,EP2 and BLT1.Conclusion:Dual inhibition of COX-2 and 5-LOX by Xuan Bi Decoction in GA rats to improve MSU crystal-induced inflammation and may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy.