RA was induced in Wistar rats by injection of collagen, meanwhile, the rats were administrated daily either SS (0.4 g/kg, 0.2 g/kg, and 0.1 g/kg) or vehicle (physiological saline) for 42 days. The therapeutic effect of SS on RA was evaluated by pathological methods. T lymphocyte subsets and anti-collagen type II (CII) antibody were tested in peripheral blood. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-伪), interleukin-1尾 (IL-1尾), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were assessed in tissue homogenate of fresh joints.
The inflammation and articular damage in SS powder-treated rats were attenuated significantly. In addition, SS powder was revealed to modulate the equilibrium of T lymphocyte subsets, down-regulate TNF-伪 and IL-1尾, up-regulate IL-4 and IL-10, and significantly suppress the level of anti-CII antibody.
Scorpio and Scolopendra, when used as a combination, reveal desirable effect for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and this beneficial effect may be accomplished through normalization of T lymphocyte subsets and the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines.