Anti-Osteoarthritis and Anti-Arthrodynia Effects of a Mixture of Fermented Achyranthes japonica Nakai, Angelica gigas Nakai, and Eucommia ulmoides Oliver Extracts on Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Arthritis in Rats

摘要

Achyranthes japonica Nakai, Angelica gigas Nakai, and Eucommia ulmoides Oliver have been used as nutraceutical plants, and their anti-inflammatory functions have been demonstrated. This study evaluated the anti-os-teoarthritis and anti-arthrodynia effects of a mixture of fermented A. japonica Nakai, A. gigas Nakai, and E. ulmoides Oliver extracts (FAAE). The monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model was used, and the weight bearing index (WBI), proinflammatory cytokines, and histopathological examination were analyzed. Measurements of the weight-bearing index indicated that the administration of FAAE improved the weight-bearing distribution significantly. The levels of interleukin-ip and tumor necrosis factor-a in the blood wereincreased in the osteoarthritis-induced group but decreased in the group administered with FAAE. A histopathological examination of the cartilage showed that the osteoarthritis-induced group exhibited synovial hyperplasia and pannus formation, but the conditions were recovered significantly in the FAAE administered group. Therefore, FAAE is a potential agent to alleviate osteoarthritis.