Dihydrocucurbitacin B, isolated from Cayaponia tayuya, reduces damage in adjuvant-induced arthritis.

23,24-Dihydrocucurbitacin B, from the anti-rheumatic plant Cayaponia tayuya, was tested on arthritis induced by adjuvant to corroborate the anti-inflammatory properties of this plant. Arthritis was induced in Lewis rats; the resulting arthritic rats were then treated with dihydrocucurbitacin B (1 mg/kg orally, daily, 1 week). The effect of dihydrocucurbitacin B on the synthesis, release, and activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes (elastase, cyclooxygenase-2, and nitric oxide synthase-2) as well as its effect on different mediators (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta) were determined. Dihydrocucurbitacin B modified the evolution of the clinical symptoms, reducing the swelling and bone and tissue damage along with the development of the disease, modifying the cell infiltration and the expression of both nitric oxide synthase-2 and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, it decreased the tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta production in lymphocytes, but did not modify it in macrophages.