• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 2006

Objectives : The effect of water extract of the pilose antler of Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe (Nokyong), a traditional immuno-suppressive and immuno-activating Korean oriental medicine, on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice model was studied. Identification of common Nokyong capable of affording protection or modulating the onset and severity of arthritis may have important human health implications. Methods : Nokyong has shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties in experimental animals. In this study we determined the effect of DAE on collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Results : In three independent experiments mice given DAE in water exhibited significantly reduced incidence of arthritis (33% to 50%) as compared with mice given no DAE in water (84% to 100%). The arthritis index also was significantly lower in DAE-fed animals. Western blot analysis showed a marked reduction in the expression of inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2), $Interferon-{\gamma}\;(INF-{\gamma})$, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$ in arthritic joints of DAE-fed mice. The neutral endopeptidase (NEP) activity was approximately 6-fold higher in arthritic joints of non-DAE-fed mice in comparison to nonarthritic joints of nonimmunized mice whereas it was only 2-fold higher in the arthritic joints of DAE-fed mice. Additionally, total IgG and type II collagen-specific IgG levels were lower in the arthritic joints of DAE-fed mice. Conclusion : Taken together our studies suggest that DAE may be useful in the prevention of onset and severity of arthritis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.73-90
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• 2006

Objectives : The effects of water extract of deer antler herbal-acupunture solution(DHS), prepared from the pilose antler of Cervus korea TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe (Nokyong), a traditional immunosuppressive and immune-activating Korean herbal- acupuncture, on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA:RA model) in mice was studied. Destruction of cartilage and bone are hallmarks of human rheumatoid arthritis, and controlling these erosive processes is the most challenging objective in the treatment of RA. Methods : We investigated the tissue protective effects of deer antler treatment using established murine collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) as a model. Potential synergy of low dosages of anti-inflammatory glucocorticosteroids and deer antler was also evaluated. Results : Treatment of established murine CIA with deer antler herbal-acupunture solution(DHS) $(10-50{\mu}g/day)$ suppressed disease activity and protected against cartilage and bone destruction. Although $10-50{\mu}g/day$ DHS had only a moderate effect on the inflammatory component of the disease activity, it strongly reduced cartilage pathology, as determined by histological examination. Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein(COMP) levels were significantly reduced, confirming decreased cartilage involvement. Histological analysis showed that bone destruction was prevented. DHS administration increased serum IL-1Ra levels and reduced anticollagen type II antibody levels. Treatment with low-dose $DHS(1{\mu}g/day)$ was ineffective in suppressing disease score, serum COMP or joint destruction. Synergistic suppression of both arthritis oseverity and COMP levels was noted when low-dose DHS was combined with prednisolone(0.05mg/kg/day), however, which in itself was not effective. Conclusion : DHS was shown to have the inhibiting effects against $IL-1{\alpha}-$ and $IL-1{\beta}-stimulated$ bone resorption. These results indicated that the DAS is not only highly stable and applicable to clinical uses in bone resorption, but also it will be served as a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agents for treatment of human RA.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2006

Objectives : Deer antler Water Extract(DAE), prepared from the pilose antler of Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe (Nokyong), a traditional immuno-suppressive and immuno-activating Korean herbal-acupuncture, is thought to play an important role in human bone remodeling. Methods : To determine whether DAE can induce the differentiation of resting zone chondrocytes(RC) or not, confluent cell cultures were pretreated for 24, 36, 48, 72, and 120hrs with DAE. At the end of pretreatment, the media were replaced with new media containing $10^{-10}{\sim}10^{-8}M\;1,25-(OH)_2D_3$ and the cells incubated for an additional 24hrs. Results : This second treatment was chosen because prior studies had shown that only the more mature growth zone chondrocytes(GC) respond to this vitamin $D_3$ metabolite. The effect of DAE pretreatment on cell maturation was confirmed by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALPase)-specific activity. Changes in matrix protein synthesis were examined by measuring collagen synthesis, as well as $^{35}SO_4$ incorporation into proteoglycans. When RC cells were pretreated for 120h with DAE, treatment with $1,25-(OH)_2D_3$ caused a dose-dependent increase in ALPase-specific activity and collagen synthesis, however, the proteoglycan production was not affected. RC cells pretreated with $1,25-(OH)_2D_3$ responded like RC cells that had not received any pretreatment. Conclusion : These results indicate that DAE directly regulates the maturation of RC chondrocytes into GC chondrocytes. Therefore it was indicated that DAE may play a significant role in regulating chondrocyte maturation during endochondral ossification.