Abstract
The effect of Agaricus blazei Murri (CJ-01) was studied in animal experimental models for arthritis to evaluate its efficacy. Spontaneous polyarthritis in MRL/Mp1pr/1pr (MRP/1pr) mice and type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice were studied. CJ-01 significantly reduced the incidence and severity of paw swelling in CIA in DBA/1J mice. And suppressed in serum C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase and IgG-type rheumatoid factor levels in MRL/1pr mice. A high level of serum anti-type II collagen antibody was also suppressed in the group treated with dexamethasone but not CJ-01. Histopathological examination showed that CJ-01 proliferative inflammatory articular lesions were suppressed and a bone-remodelling effect was observed under a microscope. The boneremodelling effect indicates both suppression of absorption and new bone formation. These results suggest that CJ-01 has and anti-arthritic effect and may be avaluable therapeutic drug for inflammatory disease.
