Anti-oxidative Activity of 2'', 3'', 4'', 6''-tetraacetyl Puerarin in Collagen Induced Arthritic Rats

Puerarin (Fig.1) is a major active ingredient extracted from the Radix Puerariae, a traditional Chinese herb. In order to improve its oral bioavailability, we synthesized 2'', 3'', 4'', 6''-tetraacetyl puerarin (4AC, Fig.2) through acetylization of puerarin. In this study, we investigated in vivo anti-oxidative potential of the 4AC in collagen induced arthritic rats, which involved an oxidative blast and generate all kinds of free radicals both in the lesion of joint and the whole body [1]. 4AC was administered daily by intragastric with high dosage (90mg·kg^-1 body weight) and low dosage (45mg·kg^-1 body weight) from 12 days after the first immunization with a frequency of once a day and lasted 28 days. Dexamethasone was applied as positive control. After the rats were sacrificed, the hepatic tissue homogenate was collected, centrifuged at 3000 r/min for 10 mins at 4°C. The supernatants were collected and used immediately for the assays of MDA, SOD, GSH-PX and T-AOC. The results showed that the arthritic scores decreased after administration of 4AC bot at high dosage and low dosage. The contents of T-AOC, SOD and GSH-PX in the supernatant was increased, while the level of MDA was decreased by high dosage 4AC treatment (Fig.3). These data indicate that 4AC is a potential RA supplementary therapeutic agent with characterized at its anti-oxidative activity.

Fig.1

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