Antiarthritic activities of berberine in a rat model of gouty arthritis

Gouty arthritis (GA) is an inflammatory arthritic disorder that is characterized by intense, acute inflammatory responses, such as synovitis and arthritis that occur due to articular deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. This study has compared the therapeutic potentials of either Berberine (BERB) or Paracetamol (Para) on MSU-induced inflammation in rat model of Gouty arthritis (GA). GA was induced by "intra-articular" injection of MSU suspension (20 mg/ml) inside the knee joint of the rat's right limb. Circumference was measured at 48 h after MSU injection and 14 days post-treatment with BERB or Para. Gait assessment was conducted. Histopathological alterations of knee and paw (ankle) joint tissue were investigated. Serum levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were estimated. Molecular analysis of Elastase, Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) was evaluated. In addition, DNA fragmentation assay was performed. Our results revealed that deposition of MSU crystals in the articular joints provoked an inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and DNA fragmentation (apoptosis). However, the oral treatment of MSU-induced rats with either BERB (50 mg/kg/day) or Para (50 mg/kg/day) for 14 days mitigated MSU-stimulated inflammation and arthritis as represented by the behavioral, histopathological, biochemical, and molecular levels. Treatment of MSU-induced arthritic rats with BERB or Para attenuated oedema and alleviated histological signs of acute inflammation. In addition, treatment decreased chemokine levels and reduced MDA levels. These results indicated that BERB and Para exerted strong anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-apoptotic activities against GA.