Nerolidol: a potential approach in rheumatoid arthritis through reduction of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-Kβ, COX-2 and anti-oxidant effect in CFA-induced arthritic model
Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis an autoimmune infectious disorder, is categorized by inflammation and increased level of pro-inflammatory cytokines which are released by immune cells, macrophages or activation of arachidonic acid metabolism. The expression of these cytokines, oxidative free radicals and the activation of COX-2 enzymes are crucial targets for chronic inflammation. On the basis of established anti-inflammatory efficacy of Nerolidol, the primary study was further appraised to determine its efficacy against Freund’s complete adjuvant (CFA) rheumatoid model. Arthritis was persuaded by inoculation of 0.1mL CFA injection into left hind footpad of rats. Anti-arthritic potential of nerolidol (at 200, 400 and 800mg/kg doses) was assessed by measuring the paw volume, body weight, serum analysis, histopathological and radio-graphics of ankle joints. Expressions of cytokine’s panels like IL-10, IL-4, COX-2, NF-Kβ, TNF-α, IL-6, PGE-2 and IL-1β were determined by real time qPCR. Antioxidant enzyme analyses was calculated by measuring the SOD, POD and catalase activity from serum and equated with arthritic control group. Nerolidol prevented the body weight loss, stabilized the biochemical and haematological homeostasis and significantly reduced the paw volume. Furthermore, X-ray and histopathological assessment of ankle joints showed an improvement in the joint structure of rats treated with nerolidol. Besides that, over expression of gene pointers like TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-Kβ, PGE-2 and COX-2 in CFA treated control rats were also reversed with nerolidol. This anti-arthritic mechanism was further supported by the increased level of IL-10, IL-4 and serum anti-oxidant activity. The present findings demonstrate that nerolidol reduce the adjuvant arthritis by down-regulating the proinflammatory cytokines and up-regulating the aforementioned anti-inflammatory cytokines and may be used as a therapeutic substance for the management of human rheumatoid arthritis.