All issues > Volume 47(6); 2004

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2004;47(6):677-684. Published online June 15, 2004.

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

Kyong Min KM Choi¹, Dae Hwan DH Hwang¹, Kyung Mi KM Shin¹, Do-Young DY Yoon², Dong Soo DS Kim¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
²Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cellular Biology Laboratory, Taejeon, Korea

Correspondence Dong Soo DS Kim ,Email: dskim6634@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr

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-α in the supernatants of the mice sera were measured by ELISA. mRNA expression for IL-10 and TNF-α 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-α 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.

Keywords :Flavon, Artemisia absinthium, Collagen induced arthritis, IL-10, TNF-α