The Positive Effect of Atropa belladonna on Inflammatory Cytokines in the Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and demyelination of the central nervous system. Given the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of MS and the anti-inflammatory effect of Atropa belladonna (AB), the aim of this study was to determine the effect of AB on inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors in MOG35-55 induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Thirty-two purebred C57BL/6 mice, weighing (20 ± 2g) were randomly assigned to the 4 groups: control, and three experimental groups: EAE, EAE + AB100, and EAE + AB300 that after EAE induction received 0, 100, and 300 mg/kg AB daily. AB was dissolved in PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) and the volume of gavage in all groups was 100 μL. After 30 days, the mice were weighed, anesthetized with ether and blood was collected directly from the heart. Specific animal ELISA kits measured the inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-17, IL-4, and TNF-α). One-way ANOVA with Duncan post hoc test was used for comparison between groups.

EAE increased serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-17, and decreased IL-10 and IL-4 compared to the control group. AB significantly decreased the mean level of TNF-α, IL-17 and increased IL-10 and IL-4 compared with EAE group. The effect of 300 mg/kg was clearly better than 100 mg/kg. There was also a significant difference between the control group and the 300 mg/kg group.

In the present study, AB plant extract increased serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines in the MS animal model.