Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F combination therapy with methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis: An updated meta-analysis

Quantitative proteomic analysis of circulating exosomes reveals the mechanism by which Triptolide protects against collagen-induced arthritis

INTRODUCTION

Triptolide (TP), a natural product derived from the herbal medicine Tripterygium wilfordii, exhibits potent immunosuppressive activity. However, the mechanisms underlying its effects in rheumatoid arthritis remain incompletely understood.

METHODS

Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by immunization with bovine type II collagen, and TP was administrated as treatment. The therapeutic effect of TP was evaluated based on paw swelling, histopathology, and serum levels of inflammatory factors. Exosomes isolated from rat serum were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and western blot analysis. Proteomic profiling of exosomes was analyzed by direct DIA quantitative proteomics analysis. Gene ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases were employed for enrichment analysis related to molecular function, biological processes, and signaling pathways. Western blot analysis was used to analyze differentially expressed proteins.

RESULTS

TP treatment ameliorated arthritic phenotypes in CIA rats as evidenced by reduced arthritis score, paw swelling, pathological injury severity scores, and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. The proteomic analysis revealed that TP treatment significantly inhibited complement and coagulation cascades, interleukin-17 signaling pathway, and cholesterol metabolism, which were reactivated in CIA rats. Importantly, lipocalin 2 (LCN2) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were markedly upregulated in the CIA group but suppressed upon TP administration. Furthermore, in synovial tissues, LCN2 and MPO expression levels were also elevated in the CIA group but decreased following TP treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that TP alleviates CIA, possibly through modulation of exosomal LCN2 and MPO proteins.

The protective effect of natural medicines in rheumatoid arthritis via inhibit angiogenesis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic immunological disease leading to the progressive bone and joint destruction. Angiogenesis, accompanied by synovial hyperplasia and inflammation underlies joint destruction. Delaying or even blocking synovial angiogenesis has emerged as an important target of RA treatment. Natural medicines has a long history of treating RA, and numerous reports have suggested that natural medicines have a strong inhibitory activity on synovial angiogenesis, thereby improving the progression of RA. Natural medicines could regulate the following signaling pathways: HIF/VEGF/ANG, PI3K/Akt pathway, MAPKs pathway, NF-κB pathway, PPARγ pathway, JAK2/STAT3 pathway, etc., thereby inhibiting angiogenesis. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (TwHF), sinomenine, and total glucoside of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. Are currently the most representative of all natural products worthy of development and utilization. In this paper, the main factors affecting angiogenesis were discussed and different types of natural medicines that inhibit angiogenesis were systematically summarized. Their specific anti-angiogenesis mechanisms are also reviewed which aiming to provide new perspective and options for the management of RA by targeting angiogenesis.

Wilforine inhibits rheumatoid arthritis pathology through the Wnt11/β-catenin signaling pathway axis

BACKGROUND

Wilforine (WFR) is a monomeric compound of the anti-RA plant Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (TwHF). Whether WFR has anti-RA effect, its molecular mechanism has not been elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our study aims to clarify how WFR inhibits fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS) activation and improves RA through Wnt11 action on the Wnt11/β-catenin signaling pathway.

METHODS

The therapeutic effect of WFR on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats was evaluated using methods such as rat arthritis score. The inhibitory effects and signaling pathways of WFR on the proliferation and inflammatory response of CIA FLS and RA FLS were studied using ELISA, CCK-8, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence methods.

RESULTS

WFR could effectively alleviate the arthritis symptoms of CIA rats; reduce the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the peripheral blood of CIA rats; and inhibit the expression of MMP3 and fibronectin. The data showed that WFR has a significant inhibitory effect on FLS proliferation. Furthermore, WFR inhibited the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and decreased the expression of Wnt11, β-catenin, CCND1, GSK-3β, and c-Myc, while the effects of WFR were reversed after overexpression of Wnt11.

CONCLUSIONS

WFR improves RA by inhibiting the Wnt11/β-catenin signaling pathway, and Wnt11 is the direct target of WFR. This study provides a new molecular mechanism for WFR to improve RA and contributes to the clinical promotion of WFR.

Celastrol functions as an emerging manager of lipid metabolism: Mechanism and therapeutic potential

Lipid metabolism disorders are pivotal in the development of various lipid-related diseases, such as obesity, atherosclerosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Celastrol, a bioactive compound extracted from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, has recently demonstrated potent lipid-regulating abilities and promising therapeutic effects for lipid-related diseases. There is substantial evidence indicating that celastrol can ameliorate lipid metabolism disorders by regulating lipid profiles and related metabolic processes, including lipid synthesis, catabolism, absorption, transport, and peroxidation. Even wild-type mice show augmented lipid metabolism after treatment with celastrol. This review aims to provide an overview of recent advancements in the lipid-regulating properties of celastrol, as well as to elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. Besides, potential strategies for targeted drug delivery and combination therapy are proposed to enhance the lipid-regulating effects of celastrol and avoid the limitations of its clinical application.