Abstract
T-helper-17 (Th17) cells are implicated in a number of inflammatory disorders including rheumatoid arthritis. Antagonism of Th17 cells is a treatment option for arthritis. Here, we report that Baicalin, a compound isolated from the Chinese herb Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi), relieved ankle swelling and protected the joint against inflammatory destruction in a murine adjuvant-induced arthritis model. Baicalin inhibited splenic Th17 cell population expansion in vivo. Baicalin prevented interleukin- (IL-) 17-mediated lymphocyte adhesion to cultured synoviocytes. Baicalin also blocked IL-17-induced intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA expression in cultured synoviocytes. Collectively, these findings suggest that Baicalin downregulates the joint inflammation caused by IL-17, which is likely produced by an expanded population of splenic Th17 cells in experimental arthritis. Baicalin might be a promising novel therapeutic agent for treating rheumatoid arthritis in humans.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
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Arthritis, Experimental / drug therapy*
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Arthritis, Experimental / genetics
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Arthritis, Experimental / immunology
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Arthritis, Experimental / pathology
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / genetics
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / pathology
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Cells, Cultured
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
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Flavonoids / pharmacology*
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Freund's Adjuvant
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Humans
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Inflammation / prevention & control
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Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / genetics
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Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / immunology
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Interleukin-17 / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Interleukin-17 / genetics
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Interleukin-17 / immunology
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Interleukin-6 / genetics
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Interleukin-6 / immunology
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Signal Transduction
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Spleen / drug effects
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Spleen / immunology
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Spleen / pathology
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Synovial Membrane / drug effects*
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Synovial Membrane / immunology
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Synovial Membrane / pathology
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Th17 Cells / drug effects
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Th17 Cells / immunology
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Th17 Cells / pathology
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology
Substances
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal
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Flavonoids
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Interleukin-17
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Interleukin-6
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
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baicalin
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Freund's Adjuvant