Anti-inflammatory effect of Linn on lipopolysaccharide-induced uveitis in New Zealand white rabbits

Abstract

·AIM: To investigate the anti -inflammatory effect of an aqueous whole plant extract of (HIE) on endotoxin-induced uveitis in New Zealand white rabbits. · METHODS: Clinical signs of uveitis including flares, iris hyperemia and miosis, were sought for and scored in 1.0 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced uveitic rabbits treated orally with HIE (30 -300 mg/kg), prednisolone (30 mg/kg), or normal saline (10 mL/kg). The number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils infiltrating, the protein concentration, as well as levels of tumor necrosis factor-琢 (TNF-琢), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and monocyte chemmoattrant protein-1 (MCP-1) in the aqueous humor after the various treatments were also determined. A histopathological study of the anterior uveal was performed. · RESULTS: The extract and prednisolone -treatment significantly reduced ( 臆0.001) both the clinical scores of inflammation (1.0 -1.8 compared to 4.40 依0.40 in the normal saline -treated rabbits) and inflammatory cells infiltration. The level of protein, and the concentrations of TNF-琢, PGE2 and MCP-1 in the aqueous humor were also significantly reduced ( 臆0.001). Histopathological studies showed normal uveal morphology in the HIE and prednisolone-treated rabbits while normal saline-treated rabbits showed marked infiltration of inflammatory cells. · CONCLUSION: The HIE exhibits anti -inflammatory effect on LPS -induced uveitis possibly by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators.