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Ganghwaljetongyeum is a traditional Korean herbal medicine used to treat joint pain, limited motion, fever, and swelling; it also inhibits inflammatory processes associated with arthritis. ChondroT, a water extract of Ganghwaljetongyeum, is a new complex herbal medicine. This study investigated the effects of ChondroT using a rat model of monosodium iodoacetate- (MIA-) induced osteoarthritis. Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into three ChondroT groups and a normal, control, and positive control group. Changes in paw edema volume, histopathology, and plantar withdrawal response were analyzed. Further, inflammatory cytokines, arachidonic acids, liver and kidney function, and hematological features were measured. ChondroT significantly decreased paw edema by the 5th day and notably improved articular cartilage damage; it also significantly improved the plantar withdrawal response in terms of both reaction time and force intensity. Moreover, treatment with ChondroT significantly decreased the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and prostaglandin E2 and significantly increased serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. This study demonstrates that ChondroT has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in a MIA-induced osteoarthritis rat model. These results support the clinical relevance of ChondroT for future use in patients with osteoarthritis. However, further studies are required to elucidate the corresponding mechanisms.

본 연구는 보건복지부 한의약선도기술 사업의 지원에 의하여 이루어진 것임 (과제고유번호 : HI13C2285).RECEIVED June 16, 2015REVISED July 10, 2015ACCEPTEDJuly 15, 2015CORRESPONDING TOSeon-Jong Kim, Department of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation, Mokpo Oriental Hospital of Dongshin University, 313 Baengnyeon-daero, Mokpo 530-822, KoreaTEL (061) 280-7905FAX (061) 280-7788E-mail mofoster@hanmail.netCopyright © 2015 The Society of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation