[Animal modeling] - Immunomodulatory effect of psoralen on rheumatoid arthritis in mice

  Objective: To investigate the effect of psoralen on type II collagen induced rheumatoid arthritis in mice and its molecular mechanism.

  Methods: DBA/1J mice were used to induce rheumatoid arthritis by bovine type II collagen. The successful mice were randomly divided into three groups: psoralen (PSO), methotrexate (MTX) and model control (vehicle). They were administered by gavage to observe the changes of joints and scored. Weigh and calculate spleen index; The number of Th1 and Th2 cells in splenic lymphocytes was measured by flow cytometry; Detection of serum related inflammatory factor TNF by ELISA- α、 IL-6 and IL-1 β The expression quantity of.

  Results: Compared with the vehicle group, the foot and ankle swelling and activity limitation in the PSO group were significantly reduced; The spleen index of PSO group was significantly lower than that of the model control group, and the proportion of Th1 lymphocytes was also significantly lower than that of Vehicle group. There was no significant difference in the proportion of Th2 lymphocytes; ELISA results showed that serum TNF in PSO group- α、 IL-6 and IL-1 β It was significantly lower than vehicle group. There was no significant difference between PSO group and MTX group.

  Conclusion: Psoralen can regulate the balance of Th1/Th2 cells and inhibit TNF- α、 IL-6 and IL-1 β It plays an immunomodulatory role, thereby alleviating the RA process.