Fermented wheat germ extract (avemar) inhibits adjuvant arthritis.

Abstract

Anti-inflammatory efficacy of the fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE, Avemar) in the rat adjuvant arthritis (AA) model was examined. To Wistar rats with AA, different doses of FWGE and anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, dexamethasone) as monotherapies were administered and FWGE and either diclofenac or dexamethasone were also given in combination. Besides plethysmographies of the paws, histological investigations of synovial tissues were also performed along with detection of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Gene expressions of COX-1 and 2 were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). FWGE monotherapy significantly inhibited the development of the secondary (immune-mediated) response in AA, and dexamethasone and indomethacin exerted inhibitory effects in a degree comparable to that of FWGE. Histological analysis of the affected joints confirmed the results. FWGE inhibited COX-1 and -2, while indomethacin enhanced COX-2 gene expressions. FWGE had an additive interaction with diclofenac. It is concluded that FWGE has significant anti-inflammatory efficacy confirmed by plethysmography, histology, and real-time PCR.

• Authors: Andras Telekes, Akos Resetar, Geza Balint, Gabor Blazso, Gyorgy Falkay, Karoly Lapis, Erzsebet Raso, Bela Szende, Michael Ehrenfeld, Yehuda Shoenfeld, Mate Hidvegi
• Journal: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (Ann N Y Acad Sci) Vol. 1110 Pg. 348-61 (Sep 2007) ISSN: 0077-8923 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17911450 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Avemar
• Plant Extracts
• Cyclooxygenase 1
• Cyclooxygenase 2

Topics

• Animals
• Arthritis, Experimental (pathology, prevention & control)
• Cyclooxygenase 1 (genetics)
• Cyclooxygenase 2 (genetics)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
• Female
• Fermentation
• Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
• Germination
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Triticum (chemistry)