Effects of polysaccharide fractions isolated from Caltha palustris L. on the activity of phagocytic cells & humoral immune response in mice with collagen-induced arthritis: A comparison with methotrexate.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The extracts from Caltha palustris L. have been shown to be beneficial for treating arthritis and rheumatism. In this study, the immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharide fractions B and C of C. palustris extracts were studied, using the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse arthritis experimental model. The aim was to determine the activity of blood phagocytic cells and humoral immune response in CIA mice treated with polysaccharide fractions from C. palustris.

METHODS: The effects of fractions B and C of C. palustris were explored by evaluating phagocytic activity of peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes and humoral immune response in sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-immunized mice. The results were compared with methotrexate (MTX) treatment. Following the onset of CIA, DBA/1J mice were treated for 21 days with B or C fractions (10 mg/kg; i.p.) or MTX (every 48 h, 6.6 mg/kg; i.p.).

RESULTS: The results showed that fraction B reduced the level of interleukin (IL)-1β, boosted nitric oxide synthesis in murine peritoneal macrophages stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide and enhanced the monocyte phagocytic activity. Exposure of SRBC-immunized mice to fraction B and MTX during the course of CIA resulted in decreased total anti-SRBC haemagglutinin titres.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Fraction B of C. palustris polysaccharides modulated macrophage function and exerted beneficial effects on the clinical course of CIA in mice. The results also suggested efficacy of fraction B was comparable to that of MTX treatment for certain parameters.