Prevention of collagen-induced arthritis in mice by a polyphenolic fraction from green tea

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 1999-04, Vol.96 (8), p.4524-4529
• Main Authors: Haqqi, T.M, Anthony, D.D, Gupta, S, Ahmad, N, Lee, M.S, Kumar, G.K, Mukhtar, H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies; Antibody Formation; Arthritis; Arthritis, Experimental - immunology; Arthritis, Experimental - pathology; Arthritis, Experimental - prevention & control; Biological Sciences; Chickens; collagen; Collagen - immunology; cyclooxygenase 2; Cytokines; enzyme activity; Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; Flavonoids; Green teas; Humans; immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin G - analysis; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Immunology; Inflammation; inhibition; Interferon-gamma - analysis; Interferon-gamma - genetics; interferons; Joint diseases; Joints; Joints - drug effects; Joints - immunology; Joints - pathology; knees; Male; medicinal properties; Mice; Mice, Inbred DBA; oral administration; oxygenases; Phenols - isolation & purification; Phenols - therapeutic use; Polymers - isolation & purification; Polymers - therapeutic use; Polyphenols; Potable water; Prevention; proteinases; Rodents; Tea; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - analysis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - genetics; tumor necrosis factors
• ISSN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.96.8.4524

Identification of common dietary substances capable of affording protection or modulating the onset and severity of arthritis may have important human health implications. An antioxidant-rich polyphenolic fraction isolated from green tea (green tea polyphenols, GTPs) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties in experimental animals. In this study we determined the effect of oral consumption of GTP on collagen-induced arthritis in mice. In three independent experiments mice given GTP in water exhibited significantly reduced incidence of arthritis (33% to 50%) as compared with mice not given GTP in water (84% to 100%). The arthritis index also was significantly lower in GTP-fed animals. Western blot analysis showed a marked reduction in the expression of inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase 2, IFN-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in arthritic joints of GTP-fed mice. Histologic and immunohistochemical analysis of the arthritic joints in GTP-fed mice demonstrated only marginal joint infiltration by IFN-gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha-producing cells as opposed to massive cellular infiltration and fully developed pannus in arthritic joints of non-GTP-fed mice. The neutral endopeptidase activity was approximately 7-fold higher in arthritic joints of non-GTP-fed mice in comparison to non-arthritic joints of unimmunized mice whereas it was only 2-fold higher in the arthritic joints of GTP-fed mice. Additionally, total IgG and type II collagen-specific IgG levels were lower in serum and arthritic joints of GTP-fed mice. Taken together our studies suggest that a polyphenolic fraction from green tea that is rich in antioxidants may be useful in the prevention of onset and severity of arthritis.