[A new triterpenic acid from the roots of Rosa laevigata].

This study was designed to investigate triterpenoids from the roots of Rosa laevigata Michx. The silica gel column chromatography was used to separate the chemical constituents from the roots of Rosa laevigata Michx. HPLC was used to analyze its purity and chemical constitution. Spectroscopy methods were used to determine their structures. Five constituents were isolated and identified as19α-OH-3ß-E-feruloyl corosolic acid (1), 23-hydroxy-tormentic acid (2), 2α, 3ß, 19α, 23- tetrahydroxy-12-en-28-oleanolic acid (3), 2α, 3α, 20ß- trihydroxyurs-13 (18)-en-28-oic-acid (4), 2α, 3ß, 20ß-trihydroxyurs-13 (18)-en-28-oic-acid (5). Compound 1 was assigned as a new compound, compounds 4, 5 were obtained from the genus Rosa for the first time.

Effect of Wenhua Juanbi Recipe () on expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand, osteoprotegerin, and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 14 in rats with collagen-induced arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of Wenhua Juanbi Recipe (, WJR) on expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 14 (TNFRSF14, also known as LIGHT) in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: CIA rats were generated by subcutaneous injection of bovine collagen type-II at the tail base. Sixty CIA rats were randomly assigned (10 animals/group) to: model, methotrexate (MTX)-treated (0.78 mg/kg body weight), and WJR-treated (22.9 g/kg) groups. Healthy normal rats (n=10) were used as the normal control. Treatments or saline were administered once daily by oral gavage. Rats were sacrifificed at day 28 post-treatment and knee synovium and peripheral blood serum were collected. Toe swelling degree and expression of RANKL, OPG, and LIGHT were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, toe swelling degree was signifificantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). After treatment, toe swelling degree decreased signifificantly in the WJR and MTX groups compared with the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, expression of RANKL and LIGHT were signifificantly increased and OPG signifificantly decreased in peripheral blood and synovium of the model group (P<0.01). Conversely, RANKL and LIGHT expression were signifificantly reduced and OPG increased in the WJR and MTX groups compared with the model group (P<0.01). No statistically significant difference existed between WJR and MTX groups. CONCLUSION: WJR likely acts by reducing RANKL expression and increasing OPG expression, thus inhibiting RANKL/RANK interaction and reducing LIGHT expression, thereby inhibiting osteoclast formation/activation to block bone erosion.

[Triterpenoids from roots of Rosa laevigata].

To study the triterpenoids from the roots of Rosa laevigata. The silica gel column chromatography was used to separate the chemical constituents from the roots of Rosa laevigata Michx. HPLC was used to analyze its purity, chemical and spectroscopy methods were used to determine their structures. 12 constituents were isolated and identified as(2R, 19R)methyl 2-acetyloxy-19- hydroxyl-3-oxo-urs-12-en-28-carboxylate(1), pomonic acid (2), 18, 19-seco, 2α, 3α-dihydroxy-19-oxo-urs-11, 13(18)-dien-28-oic acid(3), swinhoeic acid (4), myrianthic acid(5), 2α, 3ß, 19α-trihydroxy-24-oxo-urs-12-en-oic acid (6), tormentic acid(7), arjunic acid (8), 1ß-hydroxyeuscaphic acid(9), quadranoside Ⅷ (10), alpinoside(11), rubuside B (12). Compounds 1-4, 6, 9, 11-12 were obtained from this plant for the first time. Compounds 2-4, 6, 11-12 were obtained from the genus Rosa for the first time.

[Effects of Wenhua Juanbi Recipe on the Expressions of DNA Methyltransferases in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Collagen-Inducing Arthritis Rats].

Objective To observe the effect of Wenhua Juanbi Recipe (WJR) on the expres- sions of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of collagen- inducing arthritis (CIA) , and to study its mechanism for treating CIA. Methods Totally 90 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the model group (n =80) and the normal control group (n = 10). Rats of the model group were injected with type II collagen of bovine (BC II) emulsion from the tail to establish CIA model. Successfully modeled 50 CIA rats were randomly divided into five groups, i.e., the model group, the methotrexate (MTX) group, the low dose WJR group, the middle dose WJR group, the high dose WJR group, 10 in each group. Rats in the model group were administered with normal saline by gastrogavage, once per day. Rats in low, middle, and high dose WJR groups were administered with WJR by gas- trogavage at the daily dose of 22. 9, 45. 8, 68. 7 g/kg, respectively (once per day). Rats in the MTX group were administered with MTX suspension (0.78 mg/kg) by gastrogavage, once per week for 30 successive days. The paw swelling was evaluated using volume method (draining volume). PBMCs were extrac- ted from each group after intervention. mRNA expression levels of DNMTs (DNMT1 , DNMT3a, DNMT3b) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Results Compared with the normal group, the paws were obviously swollen in the model group (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, swollen paws were obviously alleviated in low, middle, and high dose WJR groups, and the MTX group (P <0.01). Compared with before treatment in the same group, swollen paws were obviously alleviated in low, middle, and high dose WJR groups, and the MTX group (P <0. 01 ). Compared with the normal group, expression levels of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b in PBMCs were obviously lowered in the model group (P <0.01). Compared with the model group, expression levels of DNMT1 , DNMT3a, DNMT3b in PBMCs were obviously elevated in low, middle, and high dose WJR groups, and the MTX group (all P <0. 01). There was no sig- nificant difference in expression levels of DNMT1, DNMT3a, or DNMT3b in PBMCs among low, middle, and high dose WJR groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Expression levels of DNMTs in PBMCs of CIA rats decreased. WJR up-regulated the expression level of DNMTs in PBMCs of CIA rats in no obvious dose de- pendent way. One of WJR's mechanisms for treating CIA might be up-regulating expression levels of DN- MTs, and adjusting the state of DNA methylation.

Effect of qubi zhentong recipe on synovial gene expression in collagen-induced arthritis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the Chinese medical formula Qubi Zhentong Recipe(, QZR) on the synovial gene expression profile in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. METHODS: Ten rats were randomly chosen from 60 rats as the control group, and the other 50 rats were used for the CIA models. The CIA model group was constructed by bovine injection of type II collagen through the rats' neck and tail. Twenty rats were randomly chosen from 34 successful CIA models and randomly assigned into two groups: the model group (n =10) and the QZR group (n=10). The QZR group was fed intragastrically with QZR 22.9 g/(kg·d) (10 times the clinical adult dose), and the CIA model group was given the same dose of normal saline. Both model and QZR groups were administered treatment once a day. Total RNA was collected from the knee joint synovium after 30 days. The change in gene expression profile was analyzed by a whole gene chip. RESULTS: A total of 76 genes showed a difference in expression between CIA model group and the control group; 35 genes were down-regulated and 41 were up-regulated. A total of 67 genes showed a difference in expression between the model group and the QZR group; 48 genes were down-regulated and 19 were upregulated. CONCLUSIONS: QZR may affect CIA by stimulating multiple genes and targets, which are related to oncogenes, apoptosis, metabolism, the immune system, ion channels, and transport proteins.

[Effects of qubi zhentong recipe on the expressions of IL-1beta, IL-8, and VEGF in the synovial of rats with collagen-inducing arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To research the effects of Qubi Zhentong Recipe (QZR) on the expressions of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the synovial of rats with collagen-inducing arthritis (CIA), and to discuss its mechanisms of action. METHODS: Healthy male Wistar rats were recruited and randomly divided into the model group ( n = 50) and the normal control group (n = 10). Rats of the model group were injected with type II collagen of bovine (BC II) emulsion in the tail and nape to establish the CIA model. After successful modeling, 30 successfully modeled rats were selected and randomly divided into three groups, i.e., the model group (n = 10), the QZR group (n = 10), and the methotrexate (MTX) group (n = 10). Rats in the normal control group and the model group were administered with physiological saline by gastrogavage, while those in the QZR group were administered with QZR at 22.9 g/kg by gastrogavage. All medication was performed once daily. The rats in the MTX group were administered with MTX suspension at 0.78 mg/kg by gastrogavage, once per week. After 30-day treatment, the levels of IL-1beta, IL-8, and VEGF in the synovial were detected by immunohistochemical method. The arthritis index (AI) was scored before and after medication. RESULTS: After treatment the AL score of the QZR group and the MTX group was obviously lower than that of the model group (P < 0.01). The AI score of the two drug groups were lower than that before treatment (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal control group, the expression levels of IL-1beta, IL-8, and VEGF obviously increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of IL-1beta, IL-8, and VEGF were significantly lower in the two drug groups (P < 0.01). But there was no statistical difference between the QZR group and the MTX group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Decreasing the expression levels of IL-1beta, IL-8, and VEGF in the synovial of CIA rats may be one of the mechanisms for treating CIA by QZR.

[Effects of wenhua juanbi recipe on the gene expression profile of the synovium in collagen-induced arthritic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Wenhua Juanbi recipe (WJR) on the gene expression profile of the synovium in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats, and to explore its mechanisms for treating CIA. METHODS: The CIA model was induced by intradermal injection of bovine collagen type II emulsion from the tail of 40 healthy male Wistar rats. Selected 16 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group and the WJR-treated group, 8 in each group. WJR at the daily dose of 22.9 g/kg was given to rats in the WJR-treated group by gastrogavage, while normal saline was given to those in the model group. Both were performed once daily, for 30 successive days. By the end of medication, the total RNA was extracted from the synovium of rats in the two groups. The gene expression profile of each sample was analyzed using Illumina oligonucleotide microarray. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, after the intervention of WJR, 222 differentially expressed genes were identified in CIA rats, including 76 genes up-regulated (such as RatNP-3b and so on) and 146 downregulated (such as Angptl 2, Muc1, bcl-2, and so on). The differential genes were mainly involved with apoptosis, angiopoietin, defensin gene, cytokine, signal transduction, oncogene, etc. CONCLUSION: WJR played a role in treating CIA multi-target possibly through regulating and controlling multiple genes expressions. Wenhua Juanbi Recipe; collagen-induced arthritis; synovium; gene expression