Rutin has therapeutic effect on septic arthritis caused by Candida albicans

As of late, numerous reports have demonstrated the multiple biological activities of polyphenolic flavonoids. Amongst these reports, some indicate that the flavonoids play an important role in inflammation therapy. In this present study, we investigated the effect of rutin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, on septic arthritis due to Candida albicans, a major etiological agent that causes fungal arthritis. To induce septic arthritis, an emulsified mixture of C. albicans cell wall and Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CACW/CFA) was injected into BALB/c mice via hind footpad route once a day, everyday, for three days. In order to determine the effect of rutin, twenty-four hours after the final injection, mice having the swollen footpad were given the flavonoid (1 mg/dose/mouse) intraperitoneally every other day for three times. The footpad-edema was measured for a period of 17 days. Results showed that the rutin treatment reduced app. 45% of the edema at the peak day (day 11) of septic arthritis (P<0.05). In addition, 6 days after the peak, there was an app. 35% additional reduction of the edema (P<0.05). We found that this anti-arthritic activity was mediated by rutin's ability to inhibit nitric oxide production from macrophages and T-cells proliferation. Furthermore, this flavonoid also inhibited the growth of C. albicans yeast cells (P<0.01) and resulted in no hemolysis. These data indicate that rutin, which has both anti-arthritic and antifungal effects, can safely be administered into the blood circulation for treatment of septic arthritis caused by C. albicans. Ultimately, it can be suggested that the dual effects of rutin, anti-arthritic and anti-candidal may be helpful as an all-in-one treatment for septic arthritis.