Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the anti-arthritic potential of orally administered auraptene (AUR) and umbellliprenin (UMB) in chronic inflammation by exploring the differential effect on regulating TNF-α and IL-17. METHODS & MATERIALS: Sixty male rats were divided into ten groups, and after confirming chronic inflammation, the treatment groups received AUR or UMB orally for 9 days. On day 16, histopathological changes were evaluated. Altered serum levels of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-17 were examined as the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: Administering AUR orally at 16 mM/kg caused a significant increase in body weight gain compared to the baseline (p < 0.05), while UMB at a dose of 64 mM/kg significantly reduced edema size (p < 0.01). TNF-α levels were significantly lower in all doses of AUR and UMB treatments compared to the arthritis control group (p < 0.05). Treatment with AUR at all relative doses resulted in a significant decrease in IL-17 levels compared to the arthritis control group (p < 0.05), whereas UMB treatment did not show a significant effect on IL-17 levels. CONCLUSION: AUR and UMB regulate TNF-α and IL-17 differently; AUR inhibits both, showing broad therapeutic potential, while UMB specifically targets TNF-α, showing a specialized role.