Therapeutic effect of Captopril on rheumatoid arthritis in rats

Mechanism investigation of Duhuo Jisheng pill against rheumatoid arthritis based on a strategy for the integration of network pharmacology, molecular docking and in vivo experimental verification

CONTEXT

Duhuo Jisheng pill (DHJS) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The effective components and therapeutic mechanisms of DHJS for treating RA are still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the potential mechanism of DHJS against RA by means of network pharmacology and experimental verification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis based on phytochemistry was used to elucidate the mechanism of DHJS against RA. The targets of DHJS anti-RA active ingredient were obtained by searching TCMSP, ETCM and TCMSID. The RA model induced by collagen was established in Wistar rats. The rats in the DHJS group were administered doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg for a period of 10 d. The expression of targets was measured with Western blot.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology analysis showed that the anti-RA effect of DHJS was mediated by targets involved in immunity, inflammation and apoptosis, as well as PI3K-Akt and NF-κB signalling pathways. Of 2.0 g/kg DHJS significantly alleviated the ankle inflammation (IL-6: 62.73 ± 8.39 pg/mL, IL-1β: 50.49 ± 11.47 pg/mL, TNF-α: 16.88 ± 3.05 pg/mL, IL-17A: 12.55 ± 1.87 pg/mL, IL-10: 16.24 ± 3.00 pg/mL), comparing with the model group (IL-6: 92.02 ± 13.25 pg/mL, IL-1β: 71.85 ± 4.12 pg/mL, TNF-α: 25.64 ± 3.69 pg/mL, IL-17A: 22.14 ± 4.56 pg/mL, IL-10: 9.51 ± 3.03 pg/mL) (p < 0.05). Moreover, the protein expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-p65 significantly decreased after DHJS administration.

CONCLUSIONS

DHJS could alleviate the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) by the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signalling pathway.

Appraisal of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential of ramipril against Freund's adjuvant-provoked arthritic rat model

Because of evident role of renin-angiotensin system in the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis, the current study's objective was to assess the anti-arthritic efficacy of ramipril through CFA-instigated arthritic model. The drug has been shown to have anti-inflammatory potential. CFA-instigated arthritic model assessed the anti-arthritic efficacy of ramipril by estimating different parameters, including paw volume, arthritic index scoring, haematological and biochemical attributes, histological and radiographic analyses, and various cytokines level. Ramipril significantly (p < 0.001) reduced paw volume and the arthritic index especially at the dose of 4mg/kg. The biochemical and haematological changes were likewise restored to normal by ramipril administration with an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines while reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines level. Ramipril's ability to prevent arthritis by preserving the normal architecture of arthritis-induced joints is further supported by radiographic and histological investigation. The study's findings demonstrated ramipril's considerable anti-arthritic activity. To identify the precise mechanism of action, however, thorough mechanistic studies are still needed.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-Inhibitors and Incidence of Non-infectious Uveitis in a Large Healthcare Claims Database

PURPOSE

To determine if angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitors (ACE-I) alter the incidence of non-infectious uveitis (NIU).

METHODS

Patients in a large healthcare claims database who initiated ACE-I (n = 695,557) were compared to patients who initiated angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB, n = 354,295). A second comparison was also made between patients who initiated ACE-I (n = 505,958) and those who initiated beta-blockers (BB, n = 538,109). The primary outcome was incident NIU defined as a first diagnosis code for NIU followed by a second instance of a NIU code within 120 days. For the secondary outcome, a corticosteroid prescription or code for an ocular corticosteroid injection within 120 days of the NIU diagnosis code was used instead of the second NIU diagnosis code. Data were analyzed using Cox regression modeling with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Sub-analyses were performed by anatomic subtype.

RESULTS

When comparing ACE-I to ARB initiators, the hazard ratio (HR) for incident NIU was not significantly different for the primary outcome [HR = 0.95, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.85-1.07, P = .41] or secondary outcome [HR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.86-1.07, P = .44]. Similarly, in the ACE-I and BB initiators comparison, the HR for incident NIU was not significantly different comparing ACE-I and BB initiators for either outcome definition or any of the NIU anatomical subtypes.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest there is no evidence that ACE-I have a protective effect on NIU.

Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Captopril and Diuretics on Macrophage Activity in Mouse Humoral Immune Response

Hypertension is accompanied by the over-activation of macrophages. Diuretics administered alone or in combination with hypotensive drugs may have immunomodulatory effects. Thus, the influence of tested drugs on mouse macrophage-mediated humoral immunity was investigated. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with captopril (5 mg/kg) with or without hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/kg) or furosemide (5 mg/kg) by 8 days. Mineral oil-induced peritoneal macrophages were harvested to assess the generation of cytokines in ELISA, and the expression of surface markers was analyzed cytometrically. Macrophages were also pulsed with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and transferred to naive mice for evaluation of their ability to induce a humoral immune response. Tested drugs increase the expression of surface markers important for the antigen phagocytosis and presentation. SRBC-pulsed macrophages from mice treated with captopril combined with diuretics increased the secretion of antigen-specific antibodies by recipient B cells, while macrophages of mice treated with hydrochlorothiazide or furosemide with captopril increased the number of antigen-specific B cells. Tested drugs alter the macrophage secretory profile in favor of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Our results showed that diuretics with or without captopril modulate the humoral response by affecting the function of macrophages, which has significant translational potential in assessing the safety of antihypertensive therapy.

Therapeutic effect of Parmotrema tinctorum against complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats and identification of novel Isophthalic ester derivative

The present study reveals the anti-arthritic potential of traditionally used Parmotrema tinctorum (Pt) on experimental rats and purification of novel Isophthalic ester derivative. Arthritis was induced in rats using Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) and subsequently treated with Pt extract (100 & 200 mg/kg.b.w). Assessment of antiarthritic activity was carried out using paw volume, arthritic score, haematological, biochemical, tissue antioxidant, histopathology and radiological analyses of ankle joints. The results revealed that continuous administration of Pt reduces the complication associated with arthritis by inhibiting the edema formation and arthritic score significantly (P < 0.05). The altered changes in biochemical parameters were brought back with an improvement in free radical scavenging ability after treatment with Pt significantly. Further purification of Pt using conventional column chromatography led to the isolation of four compounds and the structure of these isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral data's FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT-NMR spectroscopy, COSY & HSQC-NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS. The spectral data revealed that the three compounds were found to be Methyl-γ-Orsellinate, Atranorin, and usnic acid (CI-III) along with a novel secondary metabolite, (C-IV)4-Hydroxy-5-methyl-isophthalicacid3-(3,4-dihydroxy-5-methyl-phenyl)ester (C₁₆H₁₄O₇,318.1amu). The present study reveals that Parmotrema tinctorum reduces complications associated with arthritis and the compounds were isolated for the first time.

The potential therapeutic use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in the treatment of inflammatory diseases

Inflammation is a normal part of the immune response to injury or infection but its dysregulation promotes the development of inflammatory diseases, which cause considerable human suffering. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents are the most commonly prescribed agents for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, but they are accompanied by a broad range of side effects, including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular events. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is traditionally known for its role in blood pressure regulation. However, there is increasing evidence that RAS signaling is also involved in the inflammatory response associated with several disease states. Angiotensin II increases blood pressure by binding to angiotensin type 1 (AT₁ ) receptor, and direct renin inhibitors, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and AT₁ receptor blockers (ARBs) are clinically used as antihypertensive agents. Recent data suggest that these drugs also have anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, this review summarizes these recent findings for the efficacy of two of the most widely used antihypertensive drug classes, ACE inhibitors and ARBs, to reduce or treat inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, steatohepatitis, colitis, pancreatitis, and nephritis.

Antiarthritic Activity of Qi-Wu Rheumatism Granule (a Chinese Herbal Compound) on Complete Freund's Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in Rats

Objective

The aim was to study the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of QWRG on adjuvant-induced RA in rats.

Methods

The RA rat models were manipulated and subsequently divided into five experimental groups: AIA, DEX, and QWRG groups. The paw volume, body weight, arthritic score, and mechanical nociceptive threshold were assessed. The serum levels of the RF, MDA, ALP, AST, ALT, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-16, and TNF-α were measured. The proliferative capacity of lymphocytes was evaluated, and the synovial tissue was histopathologically examined.

Results

The paw swelling and arthritic scores were relieved, and the variation of relative body weight and mechanical nociceptive threshold had improved in the AIA rats. The serum levels of RF, MDA, ALP, AST, and ALT were alleviated, and the inflammation and cartilage damage were effectively attenuated in the AIA rats. Simultaneously, the inflammation of the synovial cavity was alleviated, and the grading of synovitis reduced by inhibiting the expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-16 in the serum and synovium tissue.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that the antiarthritic properties of QWRG may be due to immunodepression and downregulation of inflammatory cytokines, which may be a potential candidate for the treatment of RA.

Matrine Exerts a Strong Anti-Arthritic Effect on Type II Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Rats by Inhibiting Inflammatory Responses

To investigate anti-arthritic effects of matrine isolated from the roots of S. flavescens on type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats and to explore its related potential mechanisms, CIA rats were established and administered with matrine (20, 40 or 80 mg/kg/days, for 30 days). Subsequently, blood was collected to determine serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, IL-10, MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9, and hind paws and knee joints were collected for histopathological examination. Furthermore, indices of the thymus and spleen were determined, and synovial tissues were collected to determine the protein expressions of p-IκB, IκB, Cox-2 and iNOS. Our results indicated that matrine significantly suppressed inflammatory reactions and synovial tissue destruction. Matrine inhibited paw swelling, arthritis indices and weight loss in CIA rats. Additionally, matrine decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9. Matrine also down-regulated expressions of p-IκB, Cox-2, and iNOS but up-regulated IκB in synovial tissues in CIA rats. The results suggested matrine possesses an anti-arthritic effect in CIA rats via inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and proteins that promote the NF-κB pathway.