Therapeutic potential of artesunate in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis by upregulated T regulatory cells and regulation of Th1/Th2 cytokines

Artesunate is a semi-synthetic derivative of a Chinese herb named Artemisia annua L. that is commonly used as an antimalarial agent in the history of traditional Chinese medicine. Many studies have reported artesunate possesses anti-inflammatory and immunoregulation properties. The present study was conducted to explore whether artesunate was effective in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) in Lewis rats. Our data showed that artesunate could improve the clinical symptoms and suppress the development of EAMG. Artesunate exerted its immunomodulatory effects by inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation and the expression of costimulatory molecules CD86, modulating Th1/Th2 cytokine expression levels, and enhancing the level of Treg cells. The final result of administration of artesunate was the decreased synthesis of anti-R97-116 IgG, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibodies. The treatment effect of artesunate was more obvious at dose of 10 mg/kg. These date suggest that artesunate might be a potential drug for the treatment of human myasthenia gravis (MG).