Anti-arthritic activity of ferulic acid in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats: JAK2 inhibition

Nuciferine inhibits TLR4/NF-κB/MAPK signaling axis and alleviates adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition primarily affecting the joints. Nuciferine (NCF), a key bioactive aporphine alkaloid biosynthesized in lotus leaves, exhibits promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated whether NCF could alleviate inflammatory arthritis conditions in a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-mediated arthritis model in rats. The arthritis model was established through intradermal injection of CFA (100 μL) in the sub-plantar region of the right hind paw. The arthritic animals were treated orally with NCF at 5 and 10 mg/kg and indomethacin (Indo) at 5 mg/kg body weight as reference control. NCF treatment remarkably alleviated inflammatory joint swelling and arthritic index. The radiological and histological analysis revealed evidence of the beneficial effects of NCF. NCF treatment decreased the content of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and restored the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in the paw joints. The serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were also markedly reduced in the NCF (10 mg/kg) treatment group. Moreover, the arthritis-induced inflammatory mediators, including cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling proteins were substantially decreased in the NCF treatment groups. NCF treatment also restored the antioxidant defense enzymes and abrogated lipid peroxidation in the paw tissue. Our findings strongly suggest that NCF is a promising therapeutic molecule for rheumatoid arthritis, inspiring further research, and development in this area.

Protective effect of Tecoma stans (L.) Juss.ex Kunth in CFA-induced arthritic rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tecoma stans (L.) Juss.ex Kunth (Bignoniaceae) is mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. The leaves, flowers, roots, and bark are used to treat various aliments includes, skin infections, kidney problems, intestinal disorders, jaundice, toothaches, joint pain and repair cracked bones, antidotes for snake, scorpion, and rat bites.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of the study is to assess the anti-arthritic properties of T. stans leaf using Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced rat.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The ethanol extract of T. stans leaf (ETSL) was subjected toGas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis for the identification of potential bioactive. The anti-arthritic activity was carried out by administering CFA (0.1 ml) into the sub-plantar surface of the right hind paw. The experimental animals were treated with indomethacin (10 mg/kg) and ETSL (250, 500 mg/kg) once a day orally for fourteen days. The arthritic parameters and hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated using standard kit reagents. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators were measured in blood serum. Antioxidant parameters were assessed in homogenized liver and joint tissues. Radiological and histopathological analysis of joint was performed. A computational molecular docking investigation of the phytoconstituents was conducted against COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α receptors.

RESULTS

The ETSL at 500 mg/kg demonstrated significant (p < 0.01) restoration of arthritic parameters, hematological and biochemical indices and oxidative stress in CFA-induced rats which was further supported by radiological histological examination. In addition, there was significant (p < 0.05) reduction observed in pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory mediators and up-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines in the treated group. Verbascoside was found to exhibit better biding affinities -10.4, -7.4, -7 and -6.2 kcal/mol against COX-2, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 respectively, confirmed through in silico study.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed outcome suggests that ETSL at a dosage of 500 mg/kg demonstrated notable anti-arthritic effects by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress biomarkers. This effect could potentially be attributed to the presence of bioactive verbascoside identified in the LC-MS analysis.

Astaxanthin, Compared to Other Carotenoids, Increases the Efficacy of Methotrexate in Rat Adjuvant Arthritis

This in vivo study performed in rat adjuvant arthritis aims to advance the understanding of astaxanthin's therapeutic properties for the possible treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in monotherapy and along with the standard RA treatment, methotrexate (MTX), in combination therapy. The main goal was to elucidate astaxanthin's full therapeutic potential, evaluate its dose dependency, and compare its effects in monotherapy with other carotenoids such as β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin (KXAN). Moreover, potential differences in therapeutic activity caused by using different sources of astaxanthin, synthetic (ASYN) versus isolated from Blakeslea trispora (ASTAP), were evaluated using one-way ANOVA (Tukey-Kramer post hoc test). KXAN was the most effective in reducing plasma MMP-9 levels in monotherapy, significantly better than MTX, and in reducing hind paw swelling. The differences in the action of ASTAP and ASYN have been observed across various biometric, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative parameters. In combined therapy with MTX, the ASYN + MTX combination proved to be better. These findings, especially the significant anti-arthritic effect of KXAN and ASYN + MTX, could be the basis for further preclinical studies.

Novel antiarthritic mechanisms of Azelaic acid against CFA-induced arthritis in rats by modulating pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines network

An immunologic system attacking the body's own tissues is a hallmark of autoimmune disorders, which encompass a wide range of unique conditions. Numerous essential biologic functions, including the regulation of the immune system, inflammation, cell division, and tissue repair, are carried out by cytokines. Natural compounds are an effective treatment for autoimmune illnesses by modulation of inflammatory cytokines and infiltration of leukocytes into the inflamed tissue. Here, anti-arthritic study was carried out using oral administration of Azelaic acid (AzA) for 28 days with doses (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis model. AzA ameliorated the adjuvant-induced arthritis by decreasing arthritic score, paw volume, improved body-weight alterations and serum levels of PGE2, 5-LOX and anti-ccp. AzA showed significant down regulation of NF-κB, COX-II, TNF-α, IL-17, IL-1β, IL-6, and up regulation of IL4 and IL10. Hemoglobin and RBCs count remarkably increased and ESR, CRP, platelets, WBCs levels markedly reduced in post treatment. In addition, the weakened SOD (superoxide dismutase), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione (GSH) activity and the increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were all reversed by AzA treatment. And showed improved radiographical and histologic alterations in the structure of the joints. Molecular docking studies targeting COX-II, iNOS, TNF-α, 5-LOX, IL4, IL10, IL-6, and IL-17 establish a correlation between theoretical and experimental results. Results showed that AzA inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines (COX-II, TNF-α, 5-LOX, IL-17, NF-κB, IL-1β, and IL-6) and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines, which supported the anti-arthritic and immunomodulatory potential of AzA.

Protective effect of feed additive ferulic acid on respiratory depression and oxidation imbalance of carp induced by pesticide difenoconazole via ROS/NF-κB/NLRP3 axis

Difenoconazole (DFZ), classified as a "low-toxicity pesticide," has seen widespread application in recent years. Nevertheless, the non-target toxicity of the substance, particularly towards aquatic creatures, has generated considerable apprehension. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Ferulic Acid (FA) have attracted considerable study in this particular setting. This study established a chronic exposure model to DFZ and investigated the protective effects of FA on chronic respiratory inhibition leading to gill damage in freshwater carp. Histological analyses via HE staining indicated that FA effectively alleviated gill tissue damage induced by chronic DFZ exposure. The qRT-PCR results showed that the addition of FA reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α while boosting the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β1. Biochemical analyses and DHE staining revealed that FA reduced MDA levels and increased CAT and GSH activities, along with T-AOC, decreased ROS accumulation in response to chronic DFZ exposure. The results obtained from Western blotting analysis demonstrated that the addition of FA effectively suppressed the activation of the NF-κB signalling pathway and the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in the gills subjected to prolonged exposure to DFZ. In summary, FA ameliorated gill tissue inflammation and blocked ROS accumulation in carp exposed to chronic DFZ, mitigating tissue inflammation and restoring redox homeostasis through the NF-κB-NLRP3 signaling pathway. Hence, the application of FA has been found to be efficacious for improving respiratory inhibition and mitigating gill tissue inflammation and oxidative stress resulting from DFZ pollution in aquatic habitats.

Chemometric profiling and anti-arthritic activity of aerial parts of Glinus oppositifolius (L.) Aug. DC

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Glinus oppositifolius (L.) Aug. DC. belongs to the family Molluginaceae, an annual prostrate herb traditionally used to treat inflammations, arthritis, malarial, wounds, fevers, diarrhoea, cancer, stomach discomfort, jaundice, and intestinal parasites. However, the anti-arthritic activity of the aerial part has still not been reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the antioxidant and anti-arthritic activity of G. oppositifolius in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) induced rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The dried aerial parts of this plant material were defatted with n-hexane and extracted by methanol using a soxhlet apparatus. The in vitro anti-arthritic activity of methanolic extract of G. oppositifolius (MEGO) was evaluated in protein denaturation, membrane stabilization, and inhibition of proteinase assay at 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 μg/ml concentrations. Female Wistar rats were immunized sub-dermally into the right hind paw with 0.1 ml of CFA. Rats were administered with MEGO at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg once daily for fourteen days after arthritis induction. Assessment of arthritis was performed by measuring paw diameter, arthritic index, arthritic score, body weight, organ weight, and hematological and biochemical parameters, followed by the analysis of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin 13 (IL-13) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) and histopathological study. In vivo antioxidant effect was investigated in enzymatic assays. The presence of phytoconstituents was analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), respectively. In silico molecular docking study of the compounds was carried out against COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α using AutoDock 4.2 and BIOVIA-Discovery Studio Visualizer software.

RESULTS

MEGO's in vitro anti-arthritic activity showed dose-dependent inhibition of protein denaturation, membrane stabilization, and proteinase inhibition, followed by significant in vivo anti-arthritic activity. The rats treated with MEGO showed tremendous potential in managing arthritis-like symptoms by restoring hematological, biochemical, and histological changes in CFA-induced rats. MEGO (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed a significant alleviation in the levels of hyper expressed inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and oxidative stress (SOD, CAT, GSH, and LPO) in CFA-induced rats. Spergulagenin-A as identified by LC-MS analysis, exhibited the highest binding affinity against COX-2 (-8.6), IL-1β (7.2 kcal/mol), IL-6 (-7.4 kcal/mol), and TNF-α (-6.5 kcal/mol).

CONCLUSIONS

Provided with the comprehensive investigation, methanolic extract of G. oppositifolius against arthritic-like condition is a proof of concept that revalidates its ethnic claim. The presence of Spergulagenin-A might be responsible for the anti-arthritic activity.

Trans-Chalcone (1-3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one) as a Therapeutic Candidate in Joint Inflammation via Reduction of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 in Rodents: An In Vivo Study by RT-PCR and ELISA analysis

Autoimmune disorders include vast and distinct illnesses and are characterized by an immune system-mediated attack on the body's own tissues. Because of their ability to impact any portion of the body, their clinical symptoms are incredibly varied. The variations in symptoms are normally linked with the release and activation of vasoactive, chemotactic substances and cytokines. Cytokines perform a multitude of vital biological tasks, such as immune response control, inflammation, proliferation, and tissue repair. The reversal of inflammatory cytokines and leukocyte infiltration into the inflamed tissue by natural compounds provides an effective remedy for autoimmune diseases. Here, the oral administration of trans-chalcone (TC) for 28 days was tested with gradually increasing doses (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-provoked joint tissue stiffness in rats. Paw edema, arthritic index, joint stiffness, thermal and flexion pain, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factor (RF) levels were determined to check the tested drug effectiveness in a chronic inflammatory model. Molecular docking studies revealed strong binding affinity with inflammatory cytokines and mediators such as TNF-α, IL-17, COX-2, and iNOS; further, they were quantified at the mRNA level by RT-PCR and ELISA analysis. Oral administration of TC significantly ameliorated paw edema, thymus and spleen indices, joint stiffness, thermal and flexion pain, C-reactive protein, RF, mobility, and stance of the treated animals. This therapeutic effectiveness was linked with a reduction in the mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17. The findings of the reported research confirmed the effectiveness of TC in ameliorating joint stiffness and flexion pain by prominently lowering the inflammatory cytokines.

Discovery of novel NSAID hybrids as cPLA2/COX-2 dual inhibitors alleviating rheumatoid arthritis via inhibiting p38 MAPK pathway

A series of NSAIDs hybrid molecules were synthesized and characterized, and their ability to inhibit NO release in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages was evaluated. Most of the compounds showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in vitro, of which (2E,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)-1,1,1-trifluorohenicosa-2,6,9,12,15-pentaen-2-yl 2-(4-benzoylphenyl) propanoate (VI-60) was the most optimal (IC50 = 3.85 ± 0.25 μΜ) and had no cytotoxicity. In addition, VI-60 notably reduced the production of PGE2 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells compared to ketoprofen. Futhur more, VI-60 significantly inhibited the expression of iNOS, cPLA2, and COX-2 and the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The binding of VI-60 to cPLA2 and COX-2 was directly verified by the CETSA technique. In vivo studies illustrated that VI-60 exerted an excellent therapeutic effect on adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats by regulating the balance between Th17 and Treg through inhibiting the p38 MAPK/cPLA2/COX-2/PGE2 pathway. Encouragingly, VI-60 showed a lower ulcerative potential in rats at a dose of 50 mg/kg compared to ketoprofen. In conclusion, the hybrid molecules of NSAIDs and trifluoromethyl enols are promising candidates worthy of further investigation for the treatment of inflammation, pain, and other symptoms in which cPLA2 and COX-2 play a role in their etiology.

Assessment of antiarthritic potential of Asparagus dumosus using formaldehyde and CFA-induced arthritic models in rats via modulation of oxidative stress biomarkers and mRNA expression of IL-1b, IL-6, RANKL, OPG, TNF-α and COX-2

Medicinal plants play a pivotal role in the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases including arthritis. Despite the traditional use of Asparagus dumosus in arthritis, it has not been studied yet for its effectiveness in arthritis. This study was aimed to explore the antiarthritic potential of A. dumosus in formaldehyde and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rats. Body weight, arthritic index, hepatic oxidative stress, hematological, biochemical and inflammatory markers were assessed using ELISA, whilst qRT-PCR studies were carried out for the mRNA expression of IL-1b, IL-6, RANKL, OPG, TNF-α and COX-2 genes. GCMS and HPLC analysis were performed to identify the secondary metabolites of A. dumosus. From day 8 to 28 post-administration of formaldehyde and CFA, oral administration of A. dumosus (600, 300 and 150 mg/kg) showed a noteworthy improvement (p < 0.001) in the body weights, immune organ weights, serum levels of rheumatoid (RA) factor, C-reactive protein, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in arthritic rats similar to the effect of piroxicam and methotrexate. Subsequently, the administration of A. dumosus to formaldehyde and CFA-challenged rats, caused a marked decrease (p < 0.001) in the mRNA expression of IL-1b, IL-6, OPG, RANKL, TNF-α and COX-2 genes in treated rats. Likewise, when assessed for antioxidant potential, A. dumosus produced a pronounced (p < 0.001) reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, whilst a dose-dependent (p < 0.001) increase in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities was recorded. GCMS profiling of A. dumosus presented benzaldehyde, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-, 1-decanol and undecane as plant compositions, whereas HPLC fingerprinting displayed quercetin, benzaldehyde, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-, gallic acid and cinnamic acid as plants constituents. These results depict that A. dumosus possesses anti-arthritic effect mediated possibly through attenuation of arthritic indices, chronic inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers along with down-regulation in the mRNA expression of arthritic candid genes.

Antiarthritic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabis sativa Essential Oil in an Animal Model

Arthritis and inflammatory conditions require effective therapies, but conventional drugs have side effects. This study explored Cannabis sativa L. essential oil (CSEO) as a safer alternative. A chemical characterization of EO conducted via GC/MS showed the presence of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (67.63%), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (25.91%), and oxygenated monoterpenes (0.99%). The study used three established inflammation induction tests: xylene-induced ear swelling, carrageenan-induced paw inflammation, and inflammation in the paw induced by Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA). Xylene triggered acute inflammation in the ear, while carrageenan-induced acute inflammatory responses through edema and immune-cell recruitment in the paw. CFA-induced arthritis simulated chronic inflammatory conditions. The obtained results demonstrated that treatment with CSEO significantly reduced ear weight in the xylene-induced ear-swelling test, indicating potential inhibition of neutrophil accumulation. In the carrageenan-induced paw inflammation test, CSEO reduced paw volume, suggesting interference with edema formation and leukocyte migration. In the CFA-induced paw inflammation test, CSEO decreased contralateral paw volume, restored body weight, and reduced C-reactive protein levels. Conclusion: this study provides compelling evidence supporting the antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory effects of CSEO. The findings indicate the therapeutic value of EO in the management of arthritis and inflammatory diseases while highlighting the need for further in-depth research to study the molecular mechanisms and validate their safety and efficacy for clinical applications. Preliminary data from this study suggests encouraging prospects for advancing the treatment and prevention of inflammation.

Quality variation and biosynthesis of anti-inflammatory compounds for Capparis spinosa based on the metabolome and transcriptome analysis

Introduction

Capparis spinosa L. fruits as edible and medicinal plant, has anti-inflammatory activities. The different morphological characteristics of C. spinosa fruits from Ili, Turpan, and Karamay may affect their anti-inflammatory components and functions.

Methods

The anti-inflammatory activity of C. spinosa fruit was assessed using an LPS-induced inflammatory cell model. Furthermore, the differences in anti-inflammatory compounds were analyzed by metabolome and RNA-seq. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory mechanism was elucidated using network pharmacology.

Results

In the study, we found that the 95% ethanol extracts (CSE) obtained from the three kinds of fruits showed remarkable anti-inflammatory effects both in vivo and in vitro. However, the CSE derived from Ili fruits significantly reduced CD86 levels on DCs. As a result of metabolomic analysis, the metabolic profiles of Ili fruits differed significantly from those of the other two habitats, which were consistent with transcriptome analysis. A total of 15 compounds exhibiting anti-inflammatory activity were subjected to screening, revealing a greater accumulation of flavonoids in the Turpan and Karamay districts. Notably, phenolic compounds were identified as the principal anti-inflammatory components in C. spinosa.

Conclusion

There were significant differences in the morphology, metabolites, transcriptional levels, and anti-inflammatory activity of C. spinosa from the three districts.

Lipoxygenase inhibitory synthetic derivatives of methyl gallate regulate gene expressions of COX-2 and cytokines to reduce animal model arthritis

Mammalian lipoxygenases (LOXs) are involved in the biosynthesis of mediators of anaphylactic reactions and have been implicated in cell maturation, the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis. Hence LOX inhibition in chronic conditions can lead to reducing the disease progression, which can be a good target for treating these diseases. The present study deals with designing methyl gallate derivatives and their anti-inflammatory effect by in silico, in vitro and in vivo methods. Designed derivatives were docked against LOX enzyme, and molecular dynamic simulations were carried out. Following the synthesis of derivatives, in vitro LOX inhibition assay, enzyme kinetics and fluorescence quenching studies were performed. One of the derivatives of methyl gallate (MGSD 1) was demonstrated as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the animal model. Amelioration of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritis by methyl gallate and its derivative with a concentration of 10-40 mg.kg-1 has been assessed in vivo in a 28-day-long study. TNF-α and COX-2 gene expression were also studied. Methyl gallate synthetic derivatives (MGSDs) inhibited LOX with an IC50 of 100 nM, 304 nM, and 226 nM for MGSD 1, MGSD 2, and MGSD 3, respectively. Fluorescence quenching methods also prove their binding characteristics, and 200 ns simulations studies showed that the RMSDs for the entire complex were less than 2.8 Å. The in vivo results showed that methyl gallate was required approximately five times diclofenac for the same level of effect, and the synthesised (MGSD 1) compound required only approximately 1/12 of diclofenac for the same level of effect in in-vivo studies. The preeminent expression of COX-2 and TNF-α genes was significantly decreased after the treatment of the methyl gallate derivative. Hence, the in vivo results showed that the referenced synthetic derivative might have more arthritis-reducing properties than the parent compound methyl gallate and is more potent than the standard drug diclofenac, with no apparent induced toxicity.

Chemical compositions of Souliea vaginata (Maxim) Franch rhizome and their potential therapeutic effects on collagen-induced arthritis in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL REVEVANCE

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a global prevalent chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease and acceptable safety drugs are lack for its treatment. The rhizomes of Souliea vaginata (Maxim) Franch (SV) possess anti-inflammatory functions and are used as substitution of Coptis chinensis Franch. SV is also traditional Chinese medicine and Tibetan medicine for the treatment of conjunctivitis, enteritis and rheumatic. For searching complementary and alternative anti-RA drugs, it is necessary to characterize the potential anti-arthritic activity of SV and underlying mechanism involved.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study was to test the chemical compositions, evaluate the anti-arthritic effects and underlying mechanisms of SV.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical compositions of SV were analyzed using liquid chromatography-ion trap-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS-IT-TOF). From day 11 to day 31, SV (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg body weight) and Tripterygium glycosidorum (TG, 10 mg/kg body weight) were administered orally to the CIA model rats once a day. Thickness of paw and body weights were measured once every two days from day 1 to day 31. Histopathological changes were measured using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Effects of SV on the levels of IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 in serum of CIA rats were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺ and CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells populations were measured using flow cytometric analysis. To evaluate the possible hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea (UREA) and creatinine (CREA) in CIA rats were also tested using blood auto analyzer.

RESULTS

34 compounds were identified from SV based on LCMS-IT-TOF, and triterpenoids are major anti-arthritic compositions. SV significantly relieved CIA rats' paw swelling without obvious influence on the body weight growth. SV decreased the serum levels of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ in CIA rat, and increased the serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10. SV significantly increased and decreased the percentages of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺, with no significant effects on CD3⁺ in lymphocytes of CIA model rats. Moreover, SV simultaneously decreased thymus and spleen indexes and no hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity was observed after short-term treatment.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that SV possesses preventive and therapeutic effect on RA by modulating the inflammatory cytokines, T-lymphocyte, thymus and spleen indexes and shows no hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Anti-inflammatory mechanisms of eucalyptol rich Eucalyptus globulus essential oil alone and in combination with flurbiprofen

Inflammation is the core contributor in the pathogenesis of various acute and chronic illness including appendicitis, bronchitis, arthritis, cancer and neurological diseases. NSAIDs, commonly used medications for inflammatory diseases, on prolonged use cause GI bleeding, ulcers and many more issues. Plant-based therapeutic agents including essential oils in combination with low-dose synthetic drugs have been shown to produce synergistic effects and reduce complications of synthetic drugs. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic properties of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil alone and in combination with flurbiprofen. GC-MS analysis was performed to screen chemical composition of oil. In vitro anti-inflammatory assay (membrane stabilization assay) and in vivo inflammatory acute (carrageenan and histamine-induced paw oedema) and chronic (cotton pellet-induced granuloma and Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis) models were performed to check anti-inflammatory properties. Acetic acid-induced algesia and yeast-induced pyrexia models were performed to check analgesic and anti-pyretic properties. qRT-PCR was performed to study the effect of treatments on the expression of inflammatory biomarkers. GC-MS analysis of E. globulus essential oil showed the presence of eucalyptol along with other active biomolecules. 500 + 10 mg/kg of oil-drug combination showed significantly (p < 0.05) better in vitro membrane stabilization effects as compared with groups treated with 500 mg/kg of E. globulus oil and 10 mg/kg of Flurbiprofen alone. 500 + 10 mg/kg of oil-drug combination showed significantly (p < 0.05) better anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects as compared to 500 mg/kg of E. globulus oil alone in all in vivo models. When comparison was done between 500 + 10 mg/kg of oil-drug combination-treated and 10 mg/kg Flurbiprofen-treated group, the former group showed significantly (p < 0.05) better anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic effects, but there were non-significant differences in the analgesic model. Animal group treated with 10 mg/kg of Flurbiprofen showed significantly (p < 0.05) better anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects than group treated with 500 mg/kg of oil alone while, there were non-significant differences in anti-pyretic effects. qRT-PCR analysis showed significant (p < 0.05) down-regulation in the expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in serum samples of animals treated with 500 + 10 mg/kg of oil-drug combination as compared to the diseased control (arthritic) group. Overall, the current research demonstrates that Eucalyptus globulus essential oil in combination with flurbiprofen showed better anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic effects than oil and flurbiprofen alone which is attributed to the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory biomarkers (IL-4 and TNF-α). Further studies are required to formulate a stable dosage form and to check the anti-inflammatory efficacy in different inflammatory disorders.

Ferulic Acid: A Review of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic Effects on Pulmonary Diseases

Ferulic acid (FA), a prevalent dietary phytochemical, has many pharmacological effects, including anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation effects, and has been widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics industries. Many studies have shown that FA can significantly downregulate the expression of reactive oxygen species and activate nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2/heme oxygenase-1 signaling, exerting anti-oxidative effects. The anti-inflammatory effect of FA is mainly related to the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathways. FA has demonstrated potential clinical applications in the treatment of pulmonary diseases. The transforming growth factor-β1/small mothers against decapentaplegic 3 signaling pathway can be blocked by FA, thereby alleviating pulmonary fibrosis. Moreover, in the context of asthma, the T helper cell 1/2 imbalance is restored by FA. Furthermore, FA ameliorates acute lung injury by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways via toll-like receptor 4, consequently decreasing the expression of downstream inflammatory mediators. Additionally, there is a moderate neuraminidase inhibitory activity showing a tendency to reduce the interleukin-8 level in response to influenza virus infections. Although the application of FA has broad prospects, more preclinical mechanism-based research should be carried out to test these applications in clinical settings. This review not only covers the literature on the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of FA, but also discusses the therapeutic role and toxicology of FA in several pulmonary diseases.

Chrysin, a 5,7-dihydroxyflavone restrains inflammatory arthritis in rats via subsiding oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines

This study was intended to appraise the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic potential of Chrysin (CR), a natural dietary flavone found in several plant genera, including Passiflora and Propalis, and honey. The in vitro anti-arthritic potential was assessed by protein denaturation and membrane stabilization assays. The acute anti-inflammatory action was assessed by Carrageenan and Xylene induced oedema models in Wistar rats. For determining anti-arthritic potential, 0.1 ml Complete Freund's adjuvant was injected into the left hind paw of rats to induce adjuvant-induced arthritis, followed by initiation of treatment with individual CR at 25, 50, 100 mg/kg and in combination with methotrexate (MTX) by oral gavage for 21 days. The standard treatment group was given MTX (1 mg/kg). Treatment with MTX, chrysin and their combination exhibited a notable inhibition of paw oedema and pain, restoration of body weight and immune organ weight as evident by the histology of ankle joints. Treatment with chrysin alone and in combination significantly (p < 0.0001) restored altered blood parameters (CRP, RF, Hb, WBC, and platelets) with notable (p < 0.0001) down-regulation of interleukin (IL)-6,-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, NF-κβ, and cyclooxygenase-2 and up-regulation (p < 0.0001) of IL-4, 10, and I-κβ in contrast to disease control rats. The treatment with the combination noticeably improved the superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities while reduced the peroxidation level in liver homogenate. It can be concluded from the findings that chrysin especially in combination with MTX ameliorated CFA-induced arthritis owing to its profound anti-oxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions.

A Novel Hydroxyapatite/Vitamin B12 Nanoformula for Treatment of Bone Damage: Preparation, Characterization, and Anti-Arthritic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antioxidant Activities in Chemically Induced Arthritic Rats

The usage of nanomaterials for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment can improve bioavailability and enable selective targeting. The current study prepares and evaluates the in vivo biological effects of a novel hydroxyapatite/vitamin B₁₂ nanoformula in Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. The synthesized nanoformula was characterized using XRD, FTIR, BET analysis, HERTEM, SEM, particle size, and zeta potential. We synthesized pure HAP NPs with 71.01% loading weight percentages of Vit B12 and 49 mg/g loading capacity. Loading of vitamin B₁₂ on hydroxyapatite was modeled by Monte Carlo simulation. Anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of the prepared nanoformula were assessed. Treated arthritic rats showed lower levels of RF and CRP, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-17, and ADAMTS-5, but higher IL-4 and TIMP-3 levels. In addition, the prepared nanoformula increased GSH content and GST antioxidant activity while decreasing LPO levels. Furthermore, it reduced the expression of TGF-β mRNA. Histopathological examinations revealed an improvement in joint injuries through the reduction of inflammatory cell infiltration, cartilage deterioration, and bone damage caused by Complete Freund's adjuvant. These findings indicate that the anti-arthritic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of the prepared nanoformula could be useful for the development of new anti-arthritic treatments.

Novel mannich-based derivative of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (AK7): a new candidate for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis owing to its NF-κB1 inhibitory potential

This study investigated the anti-arthritic potential of novel mannich-based derivatives of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (AK7 and AK9) in rats. The compounds were characterized by NMR and FTIR spectroscopies and their acute anti-inflammatory effects were measured by carrageenan (CRG)-induced paw edema model. The most potent doses of AK7 and AK9 were subsequently evaluated in the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory arthritis model. AK7 and AK9 inhibited CRG-induced inflammation in a dose-dependent fashion and a similar reduction in CFA-induced paw inflammation was observed. Moreover, X-ray and histopathological analyses of AK7-treated animals displayed normal joint structure whereas AK9, despite of its anti-inflammatory effects, failed to protect against cartilage destruction. Interestingly, biochemical analysis revealed a better safety profile for AK7 than for AK9 and methotrexate. Both compounds suppressed mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory mediators (IRAK1, NF-κB1, TNF-α, IL1B) while only AK7 reduced the transcript levels of interstitial collagenase (MMP1). Molecular docking analysis of AK7 and AK9 with TNF-α and MMP1 also supported the experimental data. These findings clearly highlight the beneficial effects of AK7 in the prevention and/or treatment of inflammatory arthritis.

Anti-Arthritic Effect of Edaravone Against Complete Freund Adjuvant Induced Arthritis via Osteoclast Differentiation and HIF-1α-VEGF-ANG-1 Axis

Background

Bone dysfunction is a crucial problem that occurs during rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease. Osteoclast plays a significant role in bone resorption and osteoclast differentiation and its enhancement of bone destruction. Edaravone remarkably exhibited free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of the current investigation is to comfort the inhibitory effect of Edaravone (ED) against complete Freund adjuvant (CFA) rat model via inhibition of angiogenesis and inflammation.

Methods

Subcutaneous injection of CFA (1%) was used to induce arthritis; the rats were divided into different groups and received the oral administration of ED. Paw edema, body weight, and arthritis score were regularly estimated. Biochemical parameters were estimated, respectively. We also estimate the level of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), angiopoietin 1 (ANG-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We also checked into how ED affected the differentiation of osteoclasts utilising a co-culture system with monocytes and synovial fibroblasts in arthritis rats.

Results

ED treatment significantly (P<0.001) suppressed the arthritis score and paw edema and improved the body weight. ED treatment significantly (P<0.001) altered the antioxidant parameters and pro-inflammatory cytokines: inflammatory mediator nuclear kappa B factor (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), respectively. Furthermore, ED treatment significantly (P<0.001) suppressed the level of ANG-1, HIF-1α, and VEGF, respectively. The results suggest that ED suppressed osteoclast differentiation and also decreased the level of cytokines and osteopontin (OPN), receptor activator for nuclear factor-κ B Ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) in the co-culture supernatant of monocytes and synovial fibroblasts.

Conclusion

Edaravone could mitigate CFA via inhibiting angiogenesis and inflammatory reactions, which may be linked with the HIF-1α-VEGF-ANG-1 axis and also enhance the bone destruction of murine arthritis via suppression of osteoclast differentiation and inflammatory reaction.

Resveratrol-Loaded Chia Seed Oil-Based Nanogel as an Anti-Inflammatory in Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis

Natural anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals may be useful in preventing rheumatoid arthritis from worsening. Resveratrol (RV) and chia seed oil, having antioxidant potential, can assist in avoiding oxidative stress-related disorders. This investigation developed and evaluated resveratrol-loaded chia seed oil-based nanoemulsion (NE) gel formulations through in vitro and in vivo studies. The physical stability and in vitro drug permeability of the chosen formulations (NE1 to NE10) were studied. The optimized RV-loaded nanoemulsion (NE2) had droplets with an average size of 37.48 nm that were homogeneous in shape and had a zeta potential of -18 mV. RV-NE2, with a permeability of 98.21 ± 4.32 µg/cm²/h, was gelled with 1% carbopol-940P. A 28-day anti-arthritic assessment (body weight, paw edema, and levels of pro-inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and COX-2) following topical administration of RV-NE2 gel showed significant reversal of arthritic symptoms in arthritic Wistar rats induced by Freund's complete adjuvant injection. Therefore, RV-NE2 gel demonstrated the potential to achieve local therapeutic benefits in inflammatory arthritic conditions due to its increased topical bioavailability and balancing of pro-inflammatory mediators.

Synovial tissue metabolomics analysis of the therapeutic effects of stir-fried Xanthii Fructus on rheumatoid arthritis in rats

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a rheumatic disease that easily causes synovial hyperplasia and joint damage. Comprehensive metabolomic profiling of synovial tissue can reveal local pathological changes during RA and identify metabolites as candidate biomarkers. Detecting metabolites in synovial tissue can more directly reflect the pathological state and disease activity associated with it. stir-fried Xanthii Fructus has demonstrated efficacy in treating RA, but its pharmacodynamic property and mechanism of action are unclear. In this study, the molecular composition of the extract of stir-fried Xanthium Fructus was determined through HPLC. The major components that exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were speculated to be phenolic acids. Next, the effect of stir-fried Xanthii Fructus extracts in RA treatment was comprehensively evaluated using rat body weight, foot volume, inflammatory factors, and histopathological sections of the ankle joint as evaluation indicators. The results showed that the extract of stir-fried Xanthii Fructus could significantly reduce the inflammatory response and improve the degree of joint swelling and the imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory in adjuvant arthritis rats. Finally, non-targeted metabolomics based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and multivariate statistical analysis were used to explore the changes of endogenous metabolites in synovium tissues and to search for potential biomarkers and related metabolic pathways in stir-fried Xanthii Fructus extract-treated AA rats. The results showed that stir-fried Xanthii Fructus mainly treated RA by regulating energy metabolism, hormone metabolism, amino acid metabolism and oxidative stress response in adjuvant arthritis rats. This study provides a theoretical basis for the mechanism of action of stir-fried Xanthii Fructus extract in treating RA.

Effects of supplemental ferulic acid (FA) on survival, growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) larvae

A 30-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of supplemental ferulic acid (FA) on survival, growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism of the  large yellow croaker larvae (initial weight: 2.58 ± 0.30 mg). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic micro-diets were formulated with graded levels of FA (0, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) and fed to the experimental larvae seven times daily. Results showed that larvae fed the diet with 40 mg/kg FA had significantly higher survival rate, while the specific growth rate was higher in larvae fed diets with 40 and 80 mg/kg FA than the control group (P < 0.05). Activities of trypsin in pancreatic segments (PS) and intestinal segments, lipase in PS and alkaline phosphatase in brush border membrane were significantly increased by supplementation of FA compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Supplementation of FA significantly increased activities of total superoxide dismutase and catalase, and reduced the malondialdehyde content compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, activities of lysozyme, total nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide content were significantly improved by supplemental FA in diets. Furthermore, supplementation of 40 mg/kg FA reduced the triglyceride content in larval visceral mass probably through down-regulating expression of lipogenesis-related genes (scd1, fas and dgat2) and up-regulating expression of lipid catabolism-related genes (aco, cpt-1 and hl). In conclusion, appropriate supplementation of 40 mg/kg FA could improve the survival and growth performance of large yellow croaker larvae through increasing digestive function, antioxidant capacity and promoting lipid metabolism.

Natural medicines of targeted rheumatoid arthritis and its action mechanism

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease involving joints, with clinical manifestations of joint inflammation, bone damage and cartilage destruction, joint dysfunction and deformity, and extra-articular organ damage. As an important source of new drug molecules, natural medicines have many advantages, such as a wide range of biological effects and small toxic and side effects. They have become a hot spot for the vast number of researchers to study various diseases and develop therapeutic drugs. In recent years, the research of natural medicines in the treatment of RA has made remarkable achievements. These natural medicines mainly include flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, glycosides and terpenes. Among them, resveratrol, icariin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, ginsenoside, sinomenine, paeoniflorin, triptolide and paeoniflorin are star natural medicines for the treatment of RA. Its mechanism of treating RA mainly involves these aspects: anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, immune regulation, pro-apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, inhibition of osteoclastogenesis, inhibition of fibroblast-like synovial cell proliferation, migration and invasion. This review summarizes natural medicines with potential therapeutic effects on RA and briefly discusses their mechanisms of action against RA.

HPLC -DAD analysis, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic potentials of Coronopus didymus (L.) Sm. extracts: effects on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, COX-2, I-κβ, NF-κβ and oxidative stress biomarkers

Coronopus didymus (L.) Sm. (CD) has been traditionally used to treat pain, rheumatism, and inflammation. This study was planned to appraise the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic potentials of CD (whole plant) aqueous ethanolic (CDAEE) and aqueous extracts (CDAE) and chemical characterization by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector. In vivo anti-inflammatory (Carrageenan induced paw edema, and Xylene induced ear edema assays) and anti-arthritic potentials were evaluated in Wistar rats. Both extracts showed significant (p < 0.0001) in vitro free radical scavenging and in vitro anti-arthritic potentials by inhibition of protein denaturation and stabilization of the HRBC membrane and anti-oedematogenic potential, whereas more activity was expressed by CDAEE. In complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritic model, the CDAEE at 200, 400, and 800 mg kg^-1 and methotrexate (1 mg kg^-1) profoundly (p < 0.05) reduced the arthritic score and paw edema, restored body and immune organ weight, and altered blood parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that CDAEE at 400 mg kg^-1 significantly (p < 0.0001) downregulated TNF-α (2.22 ± 0.16 fold), IL-6 (2.29 ± 0.05 fold), IL-1β (2.10 ± 0.01 fold), COX-2 (2.45 ± 0.02 fold), and NF-ĸβ (2.72 ± 0.06 fold) and considerably upregulated IL-10 (58.84 ± 0.67%), IL-4 (76.16 ± 2.79%) and I-kβ (75.45 ± 0.17%) in arthritic rats in contrast to disease control and methotrexate as evidenced from the joint histology. These findings suggested the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of C. didymus, which might be due to the presence of quercetin, ferulic acid, dihydromyricetin, apigenin, vitexin, and kaempferol in CDAEE.

Novel anti-arthritic mechanisms of trans-cinnamaldehyde against complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in mice: involvement of NF-кB/TNF-α and IL-6/IL-23/ IL-17 pathways in the immuno-inflammatory responses

Trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA), a natural cinnamaldehyde derivative of cinnamon oil, is known for anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer activities. However, no study has examined the protective mechanisms of TCA on complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Chronic arthritis was induced in mice by triple dose injection of 0.1 ml CFA in the first two days, then a treatment with TCA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) and the anti-arthritic drug; methotrexate (MTX, 0.75 mg/kg, i.p., 3 times/week) started from day 10 after CFA and continued till day 35.TCA ameliorated the CFA-induced arthritis features, indicated by the decrease in serum rheumatoid factor, paw swelling, arthritis index and the arthritis changes in limb histology. Additionally, TCA treatment showed anti-inflammatory actions through downregulation of TNF-α, NF-κB and COX-2 expressions and marked reduction in IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23 and IL-17 levels in inflamed paw tissues.Consequently, TCA can decrease arthritis progression and inhibit the immune/inflammatory responses initiated by TNF-α/IL-1β/IL-6/IL-23/IL-17 signals, via NF-κB modulation, almost to the same extent accomplished by MTX. Therefore, TCA could be a promising anti-arthritic drug.

Dietary polyphenols for management of rheumatoid arthritis: Pharmacotherapy and novel delivery systems

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, complex, systemic autoimmune disease causing chronic inflammation, swelling, and pain. It affects pulmonary and ocular physiology, gastrointestinal disturbance, skeletal disorders, and renal malfunctioning. Although conventional and biological drugs available to treat RA are potent and effective, they lead to life-threatening side effects and patient discomfort. Hence, alternative therapies are explored for their treatment which is safe, effective, and economical. Herbal drugs are widely used as an alternative therapy and some medicinal plants, especially dietary polyphenols proved their efficacy in treating RA. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites of plants possessing several pharmacological actions. They exert anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-rheumatoid activity by modulating tumor necrosis factor, mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, and c-Jun N-terminal kinases. Thus, polyphenols could be a promising option for the management of RA. Unfortunately, polyphenols suffer from poor bioavailability due to their physicochemical properties and incorporation into novel delivery systems such as liposomes, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, micelles improved their oral bioavailability. This review article summarizes dietary polyphenols, their pharmacological actions and novel delivery systems for the treatment of RA. Nevertheless, the commercial translation of polyphenols could be only possible after establishing their safety profile and successful clinical trials.

Structural Characterization of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes (LCCs) and Their Biotransformation by Intestinal Microbiota In Vitro

Lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) have recently emerged as natural products with pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential. Here, we compared the structure of LCCs from ginkgo (GK, gymnosperms), wheat straw (WST, monocotyledons), and aspen white poplar (AW, dicotyledons). We also investigated the biotransformation of LCCs by intestinal microbiota in vitro. We found that human intestinal microbiota could use LCCs as a carbon source for growth, breaking resistant cross-linkages in LCCs to generate a plethora of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and aromatic compounds with putative beneficial effects on human health. The yield of SCFAs reached 1837.8 ± 44.1 μmol/g using AW LCCs as a carbon source. The biomass of intestinal microbiota increased the fastest using GK LCCs. The greatest amounts of phenolics were present at 4 h in a WST LCCs fermentation system. Many phenolic acids with potential bioactivity were obtained after 24 h fermentation using each LCCs, such as ferulic acid.

IL13Rα2 Is Involved in the Progress of Renal Cell Carcinoma through the JAK2/FOXO3 Pathway

Previously, we reported a close relationship between type II IL4Rα and IL13Rα1 complex and poor outcomes in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In this study, we investigated the clinicopathologically significant oncogenic role of IL13Rα2, a kind of the independent receptor for IL13, in 229 RCC patients. The high expression of IL13Rα2 was closely related to relapse-free survival in specific cancers in univariate and multivariate analysis. Then, the oncogenic role of IL13Rα2 was evaluated by performing in vitro assays for cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in A498, ACHN, Caki1, and Caki2, four kinds of RCC cells after transfection of siRNA against IL13Rα2. Cell proliferation was suppressed, and apoptosis was induced in A498, ACHN, Caki1, and Caki2 cells by knockdown of IL13Rα2. Interestingly, the knockdown of IL13Rα2 decreased the phosphorylation of JAK2 and increased the expression of FOXO3. Furthermore, the knockdown of IL13Rα2 reduced the protein interaction among IL13Rα2, phosphorylated JAK2, and FOXO3. Since phosphorylation of JAK2 was regulated by IL13Rα2, we tried to screen a novel JAK2 inhibitor from the FDA-approved drug library and selected telmisartan, a clinically used medicine against hypertension, as one of the strongest candidates. Telmisartan treatment decreased the cell proliferation rate and increased apoptosis in A498, ACHN, Caki1, and Caki2 cells. Mechanistically, telmisartan treatment decreased the phosphorylation of JAK2 and increased the expression of FOXO3. Taken together, these results suggest that IL13Rα2 regulates the progression of RCC via the JAK2/FOXO3-signaling path pathway, which might be targeted as the novel therapeutic option for RCC patients.

New bitongling (NBTL) ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis in rats through inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is featured by a variety of physical symptoms and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) abnormal proliferation. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that traditional Chinese medicine exerts an important role in RA treatment. New bitongling (NBTL) as one of the traditional Chinese medicine has been reported to be involved in the progression of RA, but the exact mechanism is unclear. In our study, we intended to investigate the effect of NBTL on RA to identify the mechanisms related to JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Extracts of Tripterygium wilfordii (TW), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, have been widely used for treating RA in China for several decades, so, TW was used as a positive control drug for TBNL. RA rats were constructed by immunization with collagen type II to evaluate the action of NBTL in vivo. Body weight and arthritic index were evaluated. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining was performed to analysis the morphological changes of ankle joints tissue. TUNEL and flow cytometry were performed to examine cell apoptosis, while CCK8 and Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) were performed to examine cell proliferation. In addition, the markers of inflammation were detected by Western blot, ELISA, and RT-qPCR. Firstly, we find that rats treated with NBTL or TW not only reduced swelling degree and bone destruction, but also repressed IL-1 β and IL-6 levels. In addition, NBTL and TW could increase the weight of rats, and promote the level of IL-10 and IL-4 in vivo. Furthermore, NBTL inhibited inflammation of FLS, induced cell apoptosis and hindered cell proliferation, which was reversed by dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP), a JAK2/STAT3 pathway activator. Taken together, NBTL potentially retarded RA via JAK2/STAT3 pathway, highlighting novel mechanisms associated with RA.

Evaluation of the anti-rheumatic properties of thymol using carbon dots as nanocarriers on FCA induced arthritic rats

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that commences as inflammation and progressively destroys the articular joint. In this study, we assess the anti-rheumatic potential of the monoterpenoid class of thymol conjugated with Carbon Dots (CDs). Waste biomass in the form of dried rose petals was chosen as a precursor for the synthesis of CDs via a one-step hydrothermal bottom-up methodology. The prepared CDs exhibited absorption in the near-visible region, and unique excitation-dependent emission behaviour was confirmed from UV-Visible and fluorescence measurements. The surface morphology of CDs was confirmed by SEM and HR-TEM analysis to be quasi-spherical particles with an average size of ∼5-6 nm. The presence of various functional moieties (hydroxyl, carbonyl, and amino) was confirmed via FT-IR measurement. The graphitization of CDs was confirmed by the D and G bands for sp2 and sp3 hybridization, respectively, through Raman analysis. Esterification methodology was adopted to prepare the CDs-thymol conjugate and confirmed via FT-IR analysis. CDs play the role of a nanocarrier for thymol, an anti-arthritic agent. The bioactive compound of thymol showed potent anti-arthritic activity against RA targets through in silico docking studies. Further, the in vivo studies revealed that CDs-thymol conjugates (10 mg per kg body weight) showed a significant reduction in rat paw volume along with reduced levels of RF and CRP (2.23 ± 0.42 IU ml-1 and 16.96 ± 0.22 mg ml-1) when compared to the disease control rats. X-ray radiography and ultrasonic imaging revealed less bone destruction, joint derangement, and swelling in arthritis-induced Wistar rats. They could also potentially improve the Hb (14.14 ± 0.19), RBC (6.01 ± 0.11), PCV (6.01 ± 0.11) levels and elevate the status of antioxidant enzymes (GPx, SOD, MDA), and the activity was comparable to the standard drug, ibuprofen (10 mg kg-1), suggesting that the CDs-thymol conjugate at 10 mg kg-1 could act as a strong anti-arthritic agent. This work is evidence for the utilization of waste biomass as a value-added product such as a nanocarrier for biomedical applications.

Chemical Composition of Pterospermum heterophyllum Root and its Anti-Arthritis Effect on Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in Rats via Modulation of Inflammatory Responses

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease without effective and beneficial drugs. Many traditional folk medicines have been proven to be effective in treating RA. Among these, the root of Pterospermum heterophyllum Hance has been widely used as a traditional remedy against RA in China, but there is no scientific basis yet. The aim of this study was to investigate for the first time the chemical compositions and therapeutic effect of P. heterophyllum on adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) model in rats. 73 compounds were identified from P. heterophyllum based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS), and flavonoids may be partly responsible for the major anti-arthritic effect. In parallel, the P. heterophyllum extract at 160, 320, and 640 mg/kg/day were orally administered to rats for 22 days after post-administration adjuvant. The results showed that P. heterophyllum remarkably ameliorated histological lesions of the knee joint, increased body weight growth, decreased arthritis score, reduced thymus and spleen indices in model rats. Moreover, P. heterophyllum treatment persuasively downregulated the levels of rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-17, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and observably upregulated IL-4 and IL-10 levels in model rats. These findings suggest that P. heterophyllum has a prominent anti-RA effect on AIA rats by modulating the inflammatory responses, and supports the traditional folk use of this plant.

Potential Advantages of Bioactive Compounds Extracted From Traditional Chinese Medicine to Inhibit Bone Destructions in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Bone destruction is an important pathological feature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which finally leads to the serious decline of life quality in RA patients. Bone metabolism imbalance is the principal factor of bone destruction in RA, which is manifested by excessive osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and inadequate osteoblast-mediated bone formation. Although current drugs alleviate the process of bone destruction to a certain extent, there are still many deficiencies. Recent studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could effectively suppress bone destruction of RA. Some bioactive compounds from TCM have shown good effect on inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and promoting osteoblast proliferation. This article reviews the research progress of bioactive compounds exacted from TCM in inhibiting bone destruction of RA, so as to provide references for further clinical and scientific research.

Exploring the Effect of Terminalia catappa Fruit Extract in Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Evaluation of Behavioural, Hematologiocal and Histopathological Parameters

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by failure of spontaneous resolution of inflammation with lifetime perseverance, becoming principal cause of inactivity. Many conventional therapies are in use but the side effects associated with them are equally problematic. Therefore, an urge to explore advanced therapeutic approaches with least adverse events has seeded the idea of discovering newer herbal drugs and their respective constituents in management of RA. The current research explores anti-arthritic activity of Terminalia catappa fruits hydroalcoholic extract in CFA induced Wistar rats.

METHODS

The fruits were obtained, washed, dried and processed to obtain hydroalcoholic powdered extract which was dissolved in water and given orally to the rats. Wistar rats of either sex were used in the study. The animals were injected with 0.1 ml of complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) in footpad of left hind paw. The treatment was initiated from day 0 by oral dosing of Terminalia catappa fruit extract in doses of 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg followed by CFA administration to day 21 and behavioral, hematological parameters besides histopathological screening were assessed simultaneously.

RESULTS

The arthritic symptoms were observed to gradually decrease in treatment groups when compared against disease control groups. The parameters like body weight and pain latency were increased whereas paw volume and arthritic score were found to significantly decrease in treatment groups as compared to disease control group. The hematological parameters were also modified and were studied in treatment groups. The histopathological estimation depicted extent of damage in joint tissue of diseased rat comparable to normal, standard and combination therapy group.

CONCLUSION

The fruits possess anti-arthritic properties and significantly reduced paw volume, arthritic score and increased pain threshold and body weight gain besides theory hematological effects like increase in Hb and RBC and decrease in WBC, platelets and ESR levels simultaneously. The histopathological estimation confirmed decreased deterioration of joint tissue in treatment groups as compared to disease control group hence proving to be an emerging therapeutic option in management of RA.