ABSTRACT
Rheumatoid arthritis is a multi-systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease involving the surrounding joints, and is one of the main causes of loss of labor and disability in China’s population. Plant medicinal resources are widely distributed in Yichun City, Jiangxi Province. There are two herbs Lycopodiastrum casuarinoides and Dendroanax dentiger that are effective in treating arthritis. The results showed both selenium (Se)-enriched herbs of L. casuarinoides and D. dentiger can effectively alleviate the paw swelling of rat adjuvant-type joints. The Se-enriched dose group has significantly improved efficacy compared with Se-free group. The swelling degree of the rear paws of the rats in the Se-free group of L. casuarinoides and D. dentiger extract was significantly lower than that of the model group, and the arthritis index was significantly lower. The Se-enriched groups of L. casuarinoides and D. dentiger extract was significantly lower than the adjuvant arthritis (AA) model group, and the arthritis index was significantly lower than that of the AA model group.
