History

Objectives The effects of huperzine A on adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) in rats were investigated. Methods: AIA was achieved through subdermal injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) into the rat hindpaw. Forty Swiss albino rats were recruited in this study. These rats were divided into 4 groups: normal control group received no treatment, positive control group received 0.75 mg/kg intraperitoneal once weekly dose of methotrexate, AIA group received CFA 0.1 ml phosphate buffer saline (PBS) intraperitoneally each day, and huperzine A group received 0.3mg/Kg/day intraperitoneal dose of huperzine A. Treatment period continued for 4 weeks. Results: Huperzine A (0.3mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally into rats for 4 weeks resulted in a significant increase in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in addition to improvement in bone formation/resorption markers manifested as significant decrease in serum receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) ligand (RANKL) with a significant increase in osteoprotegerin (OPG) to RANKL ratio (OPG/RANKL). The course of rheumatoid disease was also investigated through measurement of inflammatory markers; tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1b (IL-1b) where huperzine A resulted in a significant reduction in their serum levels.  Malondialdehyde (MDA) was also found to be significantly reduced by huperzine A treatment whereas the serum level of the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly increased. Conclusions: These findings revealed the potential benefit of huperzine A in management of systemic bone associated with rheumatoid arthritis.