Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term inflammatory autoimmune disease that damages cartilage and synovial membranes while also affecting bones and joints. The aim of the current study was to investigate the antiarthritic effect of gossypin against collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats.
Methods: Intraperitoneal administration of Type II collagen (2 mg/mL) was used to induce arthritis in the rats, followed by oral administration of gossypin (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg) for 28 days. Various parameters were assessed, including body weight, paw swelling, arthritis score, organ weights, RF, haematological parameters, inflammatory markers, MMP levels, antioxidants, cytokines and nonhepatic and hepatic liver parameters. Additionally, the expression of various mRNAs was analysed.
Results: Gossypin significantly (p < 0.001) altered the body weight, paw swelling, arthritis score and organ weights along with RF level. Gossypin treatment significantly (p < 0.001) altered the level of antioxidant and hepatic parameters; inflammatory cytokines; and inflammatory parameters such as PGE2, COX-2, NF-κB and VEGF, respectively. Gossypin also enhanced the level of HO-1 and Nrf2 and suppressed the level of MMP parameters such as MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9. Gossypin also modified the mRNA expression of MMP-3, MMP-9, TRAP, RANK, Ctsk and RANKL, respectively.
Conclusion: Gossypin demonstrated antiarthritic effects against CIA in rats.
Keywords: arthritis; gossypin; inflammation; oxidative stress.
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