In this study, we attempted to identify and assess effects of
isoegomaketone (IK) isolated from Perilla frutescens var. crispa on the development of
rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA was induced in male Balb/c mice by
collagen antibody injection. Experimental animals were randomly divided into five groups: normal,
collagen antibody-induced
arthritis (CAIA), CAIA + IK (5 mg/kg/day), CAIA + IK (10 mg/kg/day), and CAIA +
apigenin (16 mg/kg/day) and respective treatments were administered via oral gavage once per day for four days. Mice treated with IK (10 mg/kg/day) developed less severe
arthritis than the control CAIA mice. Arthritic score, paw volume, and paw thickness were less significant compared to the control CAIA mice at day seven (73%, 15%, and 14% lower, respectively). Furthermore, histopathological examination of ankle for
inflammation showed that infiltration of inflammatory cells and
edema formation were reduced by IK treatment. Similarly, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in whole blood was lower in mice treated with IK (10 mg/kg/day) by 85% when compared to CAIA mice. Taken together, treatment with IK delays the onset of the
arthritis and alleviates the manifestations of
arthritis in CAIA mice.