Effects and mechanisms of catechin for adjuvant arthritis in rats

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of catechin on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in the rat and its possible mechanisms of action. AA was induced by metatarsal footpad injection with complete Freund’s adjuvant in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The secondary inflammatory reaction was evaluated through assessment of hind paw swelling, polyarthritis index, and pain response. Proliferation of synoviocytes and the activity of interleukin-1 were examined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Tumor necrosis factor-α, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in synoviocytes were measured by radioimmunoassay. The PGE₂ receptor, EP₂, was analyzed by Western blot analysis. Intragastric administration of catechin (60 and 120 mg/kg) significantly suppressed secondary inflammatory paw swelling, pain response, and polyarthritis index. It also inhibited production of interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and PGE₂ and increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in rats with AA. In the immunoblot analysis, catechin could upregulate expression of EP₂ in the synoviocytes of rats with AA. The results showed that catechin reduced secondary inflammation in rats with AA; this outcome reflects its ability to mediate cAMP levels, upregulate expression of EP₂, and inhibit secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in rats with AA.