Immunomodulation of Autoimmune Arthritis by Herbal CAM

Figure 3

Herbal CAM can intervene at multiple steps in the pathogenesis of autoimmune arthritis. Experimental arthritis can be induced in susceptible rodent strains by subcutaneous (s.c.), intradermal (i.d.), or intraarticular injection of an arthritogen (e.g., Mtb, type II collagen, streptococcal cell wall, etc.). The antigens that are injected s.c. or i.d. are directed into the draining lymph nodes where the immune responses involving the antigen-presenting cells, T cells, and B cells are initiated. The activated lymphocytes and other leukocytes then migrate into the joints and initiate arthritic inflammation via a variety of soluble mediators, including proinflammatory cytokine and antibodies (Figure 1). Herbal CAM can inhibit the initiation and progression of inflammatory arthritis by influencing multiple pathways involved in the disease process. Specific herbs that interfere with particular immune pathway are described in Table 1.