Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterised by chronic inflammation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Opportunistic infection plays a significant role in loss of tolerance to citrullinated proteins along with inflammatory progression of RA. Due to the immunosuppressive property of anti-rheumatic drugs, the patients of RA become highly vulnerable to microbial infections [1]. Thus, the present study employed an in vivo animal model to explore the holistic remedies for the effective treatment of RA.

Objectives To study the immunomodulatory effect of Camellia sinensis (Cs) against inflammatory disorder

Methods Study utilized collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rat model with Salmonella typhimurium (10⁸ CFU/ml, p.o) as an opportunistic infectious agent which was introduced to enhance disease severity (on 21st day)[2]. Treatment with Cs at oral dose 400 mg/kg/body wt. (p.o) was started from 21st day for 14 days to explore its curative, anti-edematogenic effect and quantitation of oxidative stress markers. To validate biochemical changes, the histopathologiy and level of cytokines were also studied in joint tissue followed by 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (7T MRI).

Results Treatment groups significantly restored the level of oxidative stress markers (Table-1). Furthermore, there was significant reduction in the number of bacterial colonies in blood and fecal matter in the treatment group as compared to infected group, while pro-inflammatory cytokine level of TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6 was significantly lower in joint tissue. Histological & 7T-MRI changes in the treatment group included significant reduction of cartilage erosion & pannus formation and there were no signs of inflammation in the small intestine as compared to arthritic and infected group (Figure 1).

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Conclusions The present study demonstrated that Cs has anti-inflammatory effect and could also be used as potent immunomodulator to manage RA.

References

1. R. Fleischmann, et al, Efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: review of key Phase 2 studies, Int. J. Rheum. Dis. (2016). doi:10.1111/1756–185X.12901.

2. D.D. Brand, et al Rosloniec, Collagen-induced arthritis, Nat. Protoc. 2 (2007) 1269–1275. doi:10.1038/nprot.2007.173.

References

Acknowledgements Authors are greatful to VC, Jamia Hamdard and Director, INMAS for providing research facility and support.

Disclosure of Interest None declared