Gastroprotective and safety effects of WIN-34B, a novel treatment for osteoarthritis, compared to NSAIDs

Yunvjian Improves Glucose and Insulin Function in Diabetic Rats by Regulating Gastric Emptying Function

Background

Diet acts on the human body through digestion in the stomach and absorption in the intestines. Thus, the emptying of the stomach should be the focus of the research mechanism of the combined medicine and food treatment of diabetes. The emptying function of the stomach and the secretion of related hormones may be the key points of traditional Chinese medicine. In the clinic, Yunvjian is a famous traditional Chinese formula for preventing and curing diabetes. However, the pharmacological action and mechanism of Yunvjian are also need to be probe.

Objective

To assess the effect of Yunvjian on glucose, insulin level and gastric emptying function and related hormones on high-fat diet combined with STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Methods

High-fat diet combined with STZ was used to construct type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats model and received a 4-week Yunvjian administration. The animals were divided into 6 groups, respectively, as the Control group, the DM group, the DM + Acarbose group, the DM + YNH group, and the DM + YNL group. Radionuclide single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) technology was used to observe the gastric emptying rate and half-empty time; blood was took to test fasting insulin, and then the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated; HE staining was performed to detect islets and gastric antrum, immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the number and morphology of pancreatic β cells and gastric antrum Cajal cells, and the average optical density was calculated; the expression of ghrelin hormone in gastric antrum and serum was detected by ELISA and immunofluorescence; the expression of GHRS mRNA in gastric antrum was detected by RT-PCR method.

Results

Yunvjian could significantly improve the glucose level and insulin function of rats. Compared with the DM group, Yunvjian was beneficial to low fasting blood glucose (FBG) (P < 0.01), increased glucose tolerance, and improved islet function at the same time (P < 0.05). At the same time, compared with the DM group (25.02 ± 0.05, 44 ± 12.33), the emptying rate of the DM + YNH group was significantly faster (64.98 ± 0.12), and the half row time was shortened (26 ± 8.29, P < 0.05). The gastric ghrelin levels in each group of Yunvjian increased with different degrees compared with the DM group (616.2 ± 26.23), especially in the DM + YNH group (863.51 ± 23.76, P < 0.01). Correspondingly, the expression of gastric GHSR mRNA in the DM + YNH and DM + YNL groups increased significantly compared with the DM group (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Yunvjian can effectively control glucose and improve islet function, which may be closely related to its influence on gastric emptying function and related hormone secretion regulation.

The Role of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants against Obesity and Arthritis: A Review

Obesity is a significant health concern, as it causes a massive cascade of chronic inflammations and multiple morbidities. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are chronic inflammatory conditions and often manifest as comorbidities of obesity. Adipose tissues serve as a reservoir of energy as well as releasing several inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) that stimulate low-grade chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, fatty liver disease, oxidative stress, and chronic kidney diseases. Dietary intake, low physical activity, unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, alcohol consumption, and genetic and environmental factors can influence obesity and arthritis. Current arthritis management using modern medicines produces various adverse reactions. Medicinal plants have been a significant part of traditional medicine, and various plants and phytochemicals have shown effectiveness against arthritis and obesity; however, scientifically, this traditional plant-based treatment option needs validation through proper clinical trials and toxicity tests. In addition, essential oils obtained from aromatic plants are being widely used as for complementary therapy (e.g., aromatherapy, smelling, spicing, and consumption with food) against arthritis and obesity; scientific evidence is necessary to support their effectiveness. This review is an attempt to understand the pathophysiological connections between obesity and arthritis, and describes treatment options derived from medicinal, spice, and aromatic plants.

Dual effect of WIN-34B on osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in cytokine-induced mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

As an n-butanol fractionated extracted mixture of Lonicera japonica Thunb, dried flowers and Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, root, WIN-34B has been reported the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cartilage-repairing and protective effects in previous studies.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the effect of WIN-34B on osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in cytokine-induced mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To examine the effect of WIN-34B on osteogenic differentiation, human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were treated with WIN-34B (1μg/mL and 10μg/mL). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was evaluated and Von Kossa staining was conducted. Mice bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) were obtained and treated with receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (m-CSF) to induce osteoclastogenesis. To investigate osteoclast differentiation, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was conducted after treatment with WIN-34B. Osteoclastogenic conditions were induced by stimulating the cells with interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in hMSCs and BMMs co-culture systems. The expression levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG), RANKL, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), IL-17, c-Fos, TNF-α, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression levels of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), inhibitory kappa B-α (IκBα), phospho-NF-κB, phospho-IκBα, β-actin, p38 MAPK, phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phospho-extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK), phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phospho-JNK, and phospho-ERK were measured by western blot analysis.

RESULTS

WIN-34B promoted ALP activity and mineralization of hMSCs. In TRAP-stained BMMs, the number of multinucleated cells decreased after WIN-34B treatment. WIN-34B increased the OPG/RANKL ratio and the expression of RUNX2, and suppressed the expression of IL-17, c-Fos, and TNF-α. It also suppressed the activation of NF-κB, IκBα, p38 MAPK, and JNK in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated that WIN-34B increased osteogenesis and decreased osteoclastogenesis in cytokine-induced mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow cells via inhibition of the NF-κB, JNK, and p38 MAPK pathways.

Duhuo Jisheng Decoction promotes chondrocyte proliferation through accelerated G1/S transition in osteoarthritis

Duhuo Jisheng Decoction (DHJSD), a well known traditional Chinese folk medicine, is used for eliminating stagnation, removing blood stasis, promoting blood circulation and alleviating pain; it is commonly used for the treatment of various diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA). However, the molecular mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of OA remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of DHJSD on the morphology of articular cartilage and the G1/S cell cycle progression in chondrocytes, as well as the underlying mechanisms, were investigated. A total of 27 two‑month‑old male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group (no papain-induced OA; received an equivalent amount of saline only), the model group (papain-induced OA; received an equivalent amount of saline only) and the DHJSD group [papain-induced OA; received a clinical oral dose of DHJSD (9.3 g/kg/day)]. After 8 consecutive weeks of treatment, the morphological changes in articular cartilage were observed under an optical microscope and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the mRNA and protein expression levels of cyclin D1, CDK4, CDK6, retinoblastoma protein (Rb) and p16 were measured by RT‑PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Treatment with DHJSD significantly improved the arrangement of collagen fibers in the articular cartilage, as well as its structure and reduced cell degeneration compared with the model group. The mRNA and protein expression levels of cyclin D1, CDK4, CDK6 and Rb in the DHJSD‑treated group were significantly increased compared with those in the model group, whereas p16 expression was significantly downregulated. Taken together, these results indicate that DHJSD treatment promotes chondrocyte proliferation by promoting the G1/S checkpoint transition in the cell cycle and by upregulating the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4, CDK6 and Rb and downregulating the expression of p16 and this may, in part, explain its clinical efficacy in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Cartilage Protective and Chondrogenic Capacity of WIN-34B, a New Herbal Agent, in the Collagenase-Induced Osteoarthritis Rabbit Model and in Progenitor Cells from Subchondral Bone

We sought to determine the cartilage repair capacity of WIN-34B in the collagenase-induced osteoarthritis rabbit model and in progenitor cells from subchondral bone. The cartilage protective effect of WIN-34B was measured by clinical and histological scores, cartilage area, and proteoglycan and collagen contents in the collagenase-induced osteoarthritis rabbit model. The efficacy of chondrogenic differentiation of WIN-34B was assessed by expression of CD105, CD73, type II collagen, and aggrecan in vivo and was analyzed by the surface markers of progenitor cells, the mRNA levels of chondrogenic marker genes, and the level of proteoglycan, GAG, and type II collagen in vitro. Oral administration of WIN-34B significantly increased cartilage area, and this was associated with the recovery of proteoglycan and collagen content. Moreover, WIN-34B at 200 mg/kg significantly increased the expression of CD105, CD73, type II collagen, and aggrecan compared to the vehicle group. WIN-34B markedly enhanced the chondrogenic differentiation of CD105 and type II collagen in the progenitor cells from subchondral bone. Also, we confirmed that treatment with WIN-34B strongly increased the number of SH-2(CD105) cells and expression type II collagen in subchondral progenitor cells. Moreover, WIN-34B significantly increased proteoglycan, as measured by alcian blue staining; the mRNA level of type II α 1 collagen, cartilage link protein, and aggrecan; and the inhibition of cartilage matrix molecules, such as GAG and type II collagen, in IL-1 β -treated progenitor cells. These findings suggest that WIN-34B could be a potential candidate for effective anti-osteoarthritic therapy with cartilage repair as well as cartilage protection via enhancement of chondrogenic differentiation in the collagenase-induced osteoarthritis rabbit model and progenitor cells from subchondral bone.

Computational approaches for exploring the potential synergy and polypharmacology of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction in the therapy of osteoarthritis

The Duhuo Jisheng Decoction (DHJSD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been widely used to treat osteoarthritis (OA). However, the mechanisms of action of the DHJSD have not been clearly elucidated. In the present study, the compounds in the DHJSD were characterized by three computational methods; the ligand clustering, chemical space distribution and network construction and analysis methods. The compounds that formed the medical composition of the DHJSD were divided into 10 clusters and possessed a broad diversity in chemical space distribution. The compounds also had the same coverage of chemical space as the OA drug/drug‑like compounds from DrugBank. In addition, multiple active compounds were identified as able to target multiple proteins in the drug‑target association networks (D‑T networks). A certain number of key compounds in the D‑T networks have been previously reported in the literature. The present study also constructed drug‑drug association networks (D‑D networks) and classified the DHJSD compounds into five clusters. The clusters represented multiple diverse combinations binding to the OA targets. These results suggested that the DHJSD had drug‑ and lead‑like compounds with potential synergy and polypharmacology against OA.

Standardized butanol fraction of WIN-34B suppresses cartilage destruction via inhibited production of matrix metalloproteinase and inflammatory mediator in osteoarthritis human cartilage explants culture and chondrocytes

Background

WIN-34B is a novel Oriental medicine, which represents the n-butanol fraction prepared from dried flowers of Lonicera japonica Thunb and dried roots of Anemarrhena asphodeloides BUNGE. The component herb of WIN-34B is used for arthritis treatment in East Asian countries. The aim of this study was to determine the cartilage-protective effects and mechanisms of WIN-34B and its major phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid and mangiferin, in osteoarthritis (OA) human cartilage explants culture and chondrocytes.

Methods

The investigation focused on whether WIN-34B and its standard compounds protected cartilage in interleukin (IL)-1β-stimulated cartilage explants culture and chondrocytes derived from OA patients. Also, the mechanisms of WIN-34B on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), inflammatory mediators, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathways were assessed.

Results

WIN-34B was not cytotoxic to cultured cartilage explants or chondrocytes. WIN-34B dose-dependently inhibited the release of glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen, increased the mRNA expression of aggrecan and type II collagen, and recovered the intensity of proteoglycan and collagen by histological analysis in IL-1β-stimulated human cartilage explants culture. The cartilage protective effect of WIN-34B was similar to or better than that of chlorogenic acid and mangiferin. Compared to chlorogenic acid and mangiferin, WIN-34B displayed equal or greater decreases in the levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and ADAMTS-5, and markedly up-regulated TIMP-1 and TIMP-3. WIN-34B inhibited inflammatory mediators involved in cartilage destruction, such as prostaglandin E2, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and IL-1β. The phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 was significantly reduced by WIN-34B treatment, while phosphorylation of JNK was only inhibited by chlorogenic acid or mangiferin in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes.

Conclusions

WIN-34B is potentially valuable as a treatment for OA by virtue of its suppression of MMPs, ADAMTSs, and inflammatory mediators, and it’s up-regulation of TIMP-1 and TIMP-3 involved in the MAPK pathway.

WIN-34B, a new herbal medicine, inhibits the inflammatory response by inactivating IκB-α phosphorylation and mitogen activated protein kinase pathways in fibroblast-like synoviocytes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The dried flowers of Lonicera japonica Thunb and dried roots of Anemarrhena asphodeloides BUNGE have been used for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases in traditional Korean medicine.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of WIN-34B, a new herbal medicine, in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) obtained from patients with osteoarthritis (OA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

WIN-34B is isolated from the n-butanol fraction of dried flowers of L. japonica and dried roots of A. asphodeloides. The anti-inflammatory effects of WIN-34B on cell viability, the production and release of inflammatory mediators, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), aggrecanases, tissue inhibitor of matrix proteinases (TIMP) is compared with celecoxib in IL-1β-stimulated human OA FLS. Furthermore, the effect of WIN-34B on inhibitory kappa B-α (IκB-α) phosphorylation and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in the IL-1β-stimulated OA FLS was also evaluated.

RESULTS

WIN-34B significantly inhibited the IL-1β-induced cell viability in human OA FLS without cytotoxicity. Compared to celecoxib, WIN-34B exhibited similar or better anti-inflammatory effects through significant suppression of inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, TNF-α, PGE2 and NO), MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-13) and aggrecanases (ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5), and enhancement of TIMPs (TIMP-1 and TIMP-3). Moreover, WIN-34B reduced the phosphorylation of IκB-α, ERK1/2, p38 and JNK1/2 in IL-1β-stimulated OA FLS.

CONCLUSIONS

WIN-34B exhibited similar or better anti-inflammatory properties in IL-1β-stimulated OA FLS compared to celecoxib. The anti-inflammatory effects of WIN-34B are due to inhibition of inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, TNF-α, PGE2 and NO) and regulation of MMPs, ADAMTSs and TIMPs via the inhibition of IκB-α and MAPK phosphorylation in IL-1β-stimulated OA FLS.