Microsoft Word - 06

Reactivation of antigen induced arthritis by bacterial lipopolysachharide (LPS) in a murine model was used to determine whether Terminalia chebula exerts its protective activity via modulation of Toll-like receptors (TLR). Arthritis was induced in 8-9 weeks old female Swiss albino mice by intra-articular antigen challenge following immunization with antigen. Oral administration of LPS caused reactivation of arthritis. Treatment with hydroalcoholic extract of Terminalia chebula lowered the plasma level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α), a TLR4 downstream cytokine and increased the plasma levels of interleukin 2 (IL2), which is TLR2 cytokine, significantly. (p˂ 0.001) The results indicate that Terminalia chebula might be acting as TLR2 agonist or at some intermediary stage between TLR2 activation and IL-2 production. The role of TLR4 in mediating the protective action of TC cannot be ruled out.