Objective: To investigate the effects of total flavonoids of Chrysanthemum indicum (TFC) on metabolism of free radical and immunoregulatory effects in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats.
Method: AA rats were induced by Freunds complete adjuvant. Secondary paw swelling of AA rats was measured with volume meter to observe the antirheumatic effect of TFC. The levels of SOD, MDA and NO in serum and supernatant of peritoneal macrophage were measured by commercial assay kits. ConA-induced splenocyte proliferation and IL-2 level produced by splenocyte were detected by MTT method.
Result: TFC could decrease the levels of MDA and NO, as well as increase the activity of SOD in serum and supernatant of peritoneal macrophage compared with AA model group. Meanwhile, the suppressed lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production of splenic lymphocytes in AA rats were reversed by treatment with TFC.
Conclusion: TFC showed significant therapeutical effect on adjuvant arthritis and its mechanism was at least in part related to the antioxidant and immunoregulatory effects.