Sericin Has the Same Function With Natalizumab by Decreasing RORɤT and CD4 in a Multiple Sclerosis Animal Model

Background: Cytokines and T lymphocytes are key factors contributing to autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The main impact on T lymphocytes involves CD4+and CD8+cells, which degenerate the neurons by activating neuro-cytokines. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of drug treatments in an MS animal model. Methods: Forty Balb/C mice were divided into four groups to induce the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS. The central nervous system (CNS) cells were isolated from mice. The expression levels of RORɤT, IL-17, CD4, and CD8 were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Simultaneously, the protein levels of RORɤT and IL-17 were evaluated by western blot. Results: The real-time PCR was performed to measure the expression of IL-17, RORɤT, CD8, and CD4. The results indicated that IL-17 expression decreased in the three drug-treated groups compared to the control (non-drug) group. Among the three-drug groups, natalizumab significantly decreased IL-17 expression more than the other treatments. Additionally, RORɤT expression decreased in all drug-treated groups, with sericin exhibiting the same effect as natalizumab and INF-B in decreasing RORɤT expression. The lowest expression of CD8 was observed in the natalizumab group. Importantly, CD4 expression decreased significantly in all three drug-treated groups, with sericin and natalizumab showing similar effects. Conclusion: The present study concluded that sericin is not a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug for MS, but it has the same function in reducing the main inflammatory cytokines and CD4 levels in MS. This suggests that sericin can become an FDA-approved drug for treating MS in the future.