Isorhamnetin ameliorates inflammatory responses and articular cartilage damage in the rats of monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis

Isorhamnetin Downregulates MMP2 and MMP9 to Inhibit Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis through SRC/ERK/CREB Pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of isorhamnetin on the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α -induced fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) was exposed to additional isorhamnetin (10, 20 and 40 µ mol/L). Overexpression vectors for matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) or MMP9 or SRC were transfected to explore their roles in isorhamnetin-mediated RA-FLS function. RA-FLS viability, migration, and invasion were evaluated. Moreover, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model was established. Rats were randomly divided to sham, CIA, low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups using a random number table (n=5 in each group) and administed with normal saline or additional isorhamnetin [2, 10, and 20 mg/(kg·day)] for 4 weeks, respectively. Arthritis index was calculated and synovial tissue inflammation was determined in CIA rats. The levels of MMP2, MMP9, TNF-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1 β, as well as the phosphorylation levels of SRC, extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding (CREB), were detected in RA-FLS and synovial tissue. Molecular docking was also used to analyze the binding of isorhamnetin to SRC.

RESULTS

In in vitro studies, isorhamnetin inhibited RA-FLS viability, migration and invasion (P<0.05). Isorhamnetin downregulated the levels of MMP2, MMP9, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1 β in RA-FLS (P<0.05). The overexpression of either MMP2 or MMP9 reversed isorhamnetin-inhibited RA-FLS migration and invasion, as well as the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1 β (P<0.05). Furthermore, isorhamnetin bound to SRC and reduced the phosphorylation of SRC, ERK, and CREB (P<0.05). SRC overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of isorhamnetin on RA-FLS viability, migration and invasion, as well as the negative regulation of MMP2 and MMP9 (P<0.05). In in vivo studies, isorhamnetin decreased arthritis index scores (P<0.05) and alleviated synovial inflammation. Isorhamnetin reduced the levels of MMP2, MMP9, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1 β, as well as the phosphorylation of SRC, ERK, and CREB in synovial tissue (P<0.05). Notably, the inhibitory effect of isorhamnetin was more pronounced at higher concentrations (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Isorhamnetin exhibited anti-RA effects through modulating SRC/ERK/CREB and MMP2/MMP9 signaling pathways, suggesting that isorhamnetin may be a potential therapeutic agent for RA.

Oleanolic acid, a small-molecule natural product, inhibits ECM degeneration in osteoarthritis by regulating the Hippo/YAP and Wnt/β-catenin pathways

Over the past few decades, osteoarthritis (OA) has been a major health problem worldwide. It is urgent to develop new, effective, and safe drugs to treat OA. There are many pentacyclic triterpenoids in nature that are safe and have health benefits. Oleanolic acid (OLA), one of the pentacyclic triterpenoids, is a potential novel compound for treating OA; however, its mechanism of action is still unclear. In this study, the mechanism of resistance to extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation of OLA and its protective role in the amelioration of OA were investigated by in vivo and in vitro experiments. We found that OLA promoted interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced production of type II collagen (collagen II) in rat chondrocytes, decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and MMP-13, and inhibited inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β and TNF-α) and cartilage marker (CTX-II and COMP) levels, thereby hindering the pathological process of cartilage. Mechanistically, OLA inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, activated the Hippo/YAP pathway, and hampered the ECM degradation process by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of β-catenin and YAP. When we knocked down β-catenin, OLA lost its stimulatory effect on the Hippo pathway. These findings confirm that OLA plays an anti-ECM degradation role by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo/YAP pathways. Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis for developing highly effective and low-toxic natural products for the prevention and treatment of OA.

Ebselen, an Active Seleno-Organic Compound, Alleviates Articular Cartilage Degeneration in a Rat Model of Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent articular disease mainly characterized by extracellular matrix degradation, apoptosis, and inflammation, which lead to cartilage destruction and abnormal bone metabolism. With undesirable side effects, current limited symptomatic treatments are aimed at relieving pain and improving joint mobility in patients with OA. Intra-articular (IA) hyaluronic acid (HA) injection, as a nonsurgical therapy, is commonly used in the clinical management of knee OA, but the efficacy of this therapeutic option remains controversial. Ebselen has tremendous pharmacological importance for some diseases due to its antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory features. However, there is no research examining the therapeutic effect of Ebselen in OA using the rat OA model. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Ebselen on cartilage degeneration and its role in bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling in the molecular pathogenesis of OA. We induced a knee OA model in rats with an IA injection of monosodium-iodoacetate (MIA). After the treatment of Ebselen, we evaluated its chondroprotective effects by morphological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical methods and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We report for the first time that Ebselen treatment alleviated articular cartilage degeneration in the rat knee OA model and reduced MIA-induced BMP2 and NF-κB expressions. In addition, our results unveiled that Ebselen decreased IL-β and IL-6 levels but did not affect COMP levels in the rat serum. Ebselen could be a promising therapeutic drug for the prevention and treatment of OA by alleviating cartilage degeneration and regulating BMP2 and NF-κB expressions.

Brij® integrated bilosomes for improving the transdermal delivery of niflumic acid for effective treatment of osteoarthritis: In vitro characterization, ex vivo permeability assessment, and in vivo study

Bilosomes are innovative vesicular carriers containing bile salt with a non-ionic surfactant. Being highly flexible, bilosomes can squeeze themselves through the skin carrying the drug to the action site and improving its skin penetration. The objective of this research was to encapsulate niflumic acid (NA), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug into Brij® integrated bilosomes (BIBs) for effective treatment of osteoarthritis through transdermal delivery. BIBs were formulated using 100 mg of Span 20 with different amounts of sodium cholate (NaC), sodium taurocholate (NaTC), or sodium glycocholate (NaGC) as bile salt, with the addition of 5 mg of Brij-93 or Brij-35. BIBs were prepared utilizing ethanol injection method with the application of (3¹×2²) complete factorial design using Design-Expert® software. The optimal BIBs formulation determined was (B5) which contains 5 mg of NaTC used as bile salt and 5 mg of Brij-93. B5 exhibited entrapment efficiency% = 95.21 ± 0.00%, particle size = 373.05 ± 0.07 nm, polydispersity index = 0.27 ± 0.01, and zeta potential = -32.00 ± 0.00 mV. It also had a high elasticity with a spherical shape. B5 gel displayed a sustained release profile with a significantly 2.3 folds' higher drug permeation percent across rat skin than that permeated from NA gel. Moreover, in vivo anti-osteoarthritic and histopathological studies assured the efficacy and safety of B5 gel and its superiority over NA gel. Generally, the outcomes confirmed the great efficacy of NA loaded BIBs for the topical treatment of osteoarthritis.

Alisol A 24-acetate ameliorates osteoarthritis progression by inhibiting reactive oxygen species and inflammatory response through the AMPK/mTOR pathway

INTRODUCTION

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative knee joint disease featured with articular cartilage degeneration and inflammation. Alisol A 24-acetate (ALA-24A) is an active triterpene that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pharmacological properties. However, its effect and molecular mechanism on osteoarthritis progression have not been reported.

METHODS

IL-1β-induced chondrocyte injury model and monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced rat osteoarthritis model were used. The protective effects of ALA-24A on osteoarthritis were evaluated by determining cell viability, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, inflammatory response and oxidative stress using CCK-8 assay, Western blot, ELISA, and DCFH-DA fluorescent probe. The severity and matrix degradation of articular cartilage were assessed by histopathological and immunohistochemical examination.

RESULTS

We found that ALA-24A attenuated IL-1β-induced cell viability inhibition Moreover, ALA-24A suppressed expression levels of ECM degradation-related genes ADAMTS5 and MMP13, and promoted expression levels of ECM synthesis-related genes Aggrecan and Collagen II. In addition, ALA-24A treatment decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increased antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GSH-px) activities, while increased MDA levels. The inflammatory levels of NO, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-6 were also reduced following treatment with ALA-24A. Our data also revealed that ALA-24A treatment triggered p-AMPK upregulation and p-mTOR downregulation. In rat osteoarthritis model, ALA-24A treatment significantly alleviated the severity and matrix degradation of articular cartilage comparted with model group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested a protective role of ALA-24A against osteoarthritis by inhibiting ROS and inflammatory response. Furthermore, ALA-24A might be a promising therapeutic option for osteoarthritis treatment.

Osteopontin: A Bone-Derived Protein Involved in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Immunopathology

Osteopontin (OPN) is a bone-derived phosphoglycoprotein related to physiological and pathological mechanisms that nowadays has gained relevance due to its role in the immune system response to chronic degenerative diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). OPN is an extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein that plays a critical role in bone remodeling. Therefore, it is an effector molecule that promotes joint and cartilage destruction observed in clinical studies, in vitro assays, and animal models of RA and OA. Since OPN undergoes multiple modifications, including posttranslational changes, proteolytic cleavage, and binding to a wide range of receptors, the mechanisms by which it produces its effects, in some cases, remain unclear. Although there is strong evidence that OPN contributes significantly to the immunopathology of RA and OA when considering it as a common denominator molecule, some experimental trial results argue for its protective role in rheumatic diseases. Elucidating in detail OPN involvement in bone and cartilage degeneration is of interest to the field of rheumatology. This review aims to provide evidence of the OPN’s multifaceted role in promoting joint and cartilage destruction and propose it as a common denominator of AR and OA immunopathology.

Potential metabolites of Arecaceae family for the natural anti-osteoarthritis medicine: A review

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the joints caused by fluid and cartilage matrix component reduction. This disease results in symptoms of pain, deformity, and limitation of movement. In general, OA is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotection compounds, includes natural nutraceutical ingredients, which are expected to be effective and have minimal side effects. Arecaceae plants are widely spread worldwide, especially in tropical areas. The objective of this review is to collect information about the Arecaceae family as anti-OA agents, with the main study focusing on the primary and secondary metabolites of plants of the Arecaceae family, i.e., sugar palm (Arenga pinnata), nipa palm (Nypa fruticans), palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer), date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), and betel nut (Areca catechu) have potential as anti-OA agents. The Arecaceae's metabolites that show anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects are galactomannan, fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids), flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin, isorhamnetin), phenolics (coumaric acid, ferulic acid), polyphenols (epicatechin), and steroids (stigmasterol, campesterol, spirostane). Based on the reports, the Arecaceae family plants become worthy of being explored and developed into natural anti-OA products, such as supplements or nutraceuticals.

Anti-rheumatic, and analgesic effects by the parent tuberous roots of Aconitum jaluense in adjuvant induced arthritis rats

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to test the anti-rheumatic effects of A. jaluense tubers in acute and chronic arthritis rats, and to assign its ingredients through UHPLC-TOF/MS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subcutaneous injection of carrageenan for acute arthritis and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) for chronic arthritis was carried out in the hind paw of SD rats. The paw volume was measured by a plethysmometer thermal hyperalgesia was tested using a thermal plantar tester, and mechanical hyperalgesia was evaluated by ankle flexion evoked vocalizations. The expression of c-Fos in the brain hippocampus was measured with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. The ingredients were assigned by UHPLC-TOF/MS, chromatography was performed by UHPLC system with DAD detector and BEH C₁₈ column, and spectroscopy was conducted by ESI-MS system.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The 80% ethanoic extract of A. jaluense tubers showed an acute anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing the edema volume in the hind paw of carrageenan-stimulated rats. In addition, A. jaluense tubers exerted an anti-rheumatic activity by reducing the secondary swelling volume from an immunological reaction in the left hind paw of CFA-induced chronic arthritis rats. Additionally, oral treatment with the 80% ethanoic extract -showed potent analgesic effects in the arthritis rats by recovering the paw withdrawal latency stimulated by the thermal hyperalgesia and by reducing the vocalization scores evoked by ankle flexion on both hind paws. Moreover, its treatment also indicated an anti-psychiatric effect by controlling the c-Fos protein expression of the brain hippocampus in CFA-stimulated arthritis rats. These results suggested that these therapeutic effects were exhibited by less toxic mono-esterified diterpenoid alkaloids (MDAs), and nontoxic non-esterified diterpenoid alkaloids (NDAs).

CONCLUSION

A. jaluense tubers may act as viable therapeutic or preventive candidates for acute and chronic arthritis, particularly, for immune-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis to suppress the pain and psychiatric condition.

Bilobalide Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects on Chondrocytes Through the AMPK/SIRT1/mTOR Pathway to Attenuate ACLT-Induced Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis in Rats

Although osteoarthritis (OA) significantly affects the quality of life of the elderly, there is still no effective treatment strategy. The standardized Ginkgo biloba L. extract preparation has been shown to have a wide range of therapeutic effects. Bilobalide, a unique ingredient of Ginkgo biloba, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pharmacological properties, but its mechanism of action on OA remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of bilobalide on the development of OA through in vivo and in vitro experiments, as well as its potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that bilobalide significantly inhibited the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) in ATDC5 chondrocytes induced by Interleukin-1β (IL-1β). At the molecular level, bilobalide induced chondrocyte autophagy by activating the AMPK/SIRT1/mTOR signaling pathway, which increased the expression of autophagy-related Atg genes, up-regulated the expression of LC3 protein, and reduced the expression of the p62 protein. In vivo, bilobalide exerted significant anti-inflammatory and anti-extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation effects in a rat model of post-traumatic OA (PTOA) induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). Bilobalide could relieve joint pain in PTOA rats, inhibit the expression of iNOS and COX-2 protein in cartilage via the AMPK/SIRT1/mTOR pathway, and reduce the level of ECM degradation biomarkers in serum. In conclusion, bilobalide exhibits vigorous anti-inflammatory activity, presenting it as an interesting potential therapeutic agent for OA.

Study on The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Callicarpa nudiflora Based on The Spectrum-Effect Relationship

Callicarpa nudiflora (C. nudiflora) is widely used to treat inflammation-related diseases in China. C. nudiflora mainly contains phenylethanol glycosides, flavonoids, triterpenes, diterpenes, iridoid glycosides, volatile oils, and other small molecules. Therefore, it is necessary to screen out anti-inflammatory active substances from C. nudiflora. In this paper, high-performance liquid chromatography was used to establish the fingerprint of C. nudiflora extracts. The anti-inflammation of C. nudiflora extracts were evaluated by the experiment of toes swelling in inflammatory rats. Then, the spectrum–effect relationship between the fingerprints and anti-inflammatory activities was researched by Pearson analysis and orthogonal partial least squares analysis to identify a group of anti-inflammatory compounds of C. nudiflora extracts. The differences of extracts are illustrated by principal component analysis and cluster analysis in pharmacological effects. Finally, 12 compounds, including catalpol (P1), caffeic acid (P2), protocatechuic acid (P9), 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (P10), forsythiaside E (P12), protocatechualdehyde isomers (P14), forsythiaside B (P15), rutin (P16), alyssonoside (P21), verbascoside (P22), 2′-acetyl forsythoside B (P24), and isorhamnetin (P32) by HPLC-DAD and UPLC-Q-TOF MS/MS, were determined as potential compounds for anti-inflammatory activity in C. nudiflora. In particular, six compounds were identified as active substances with the greatest anti-inflammatory potential. Moreover, all compounds were tested for anti-inflammatory experiments or anti-inflammatory literature retrieval. In this study, a method for rapid screening of potential anti-inflammatory active ingredients of C. nudiflora was established, which can provide a reference for the future study of active compounds of C. nudiflora.

Network pharmacology-based identification of miRNA expression of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common microvascular complication of diabetic patients, along with hypertension, hyperlipemia, proteinuria, edema, and other clinical manifestations. Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is a traditional Chinese medicine and has shown significant clinical efficacy against DN. However, the overall molecular mechanism of this therapeutic effect has not been entirely elucidated. Using network pharmacology, we aimed to identify the key active ingredients and potential pharmacological mechanisms of AM in treating DN and provide scientific evidence of its clinical efficacy.The active ingredients of AM were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database, and the potential targets of AM were identified using the therapeutic target database. DN-related target genes were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus microarray dataset GSE1009 and 3 widely used databases-DisGeNET, GeneCards, and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. The DN-AM common target protein interaction network was established by using the STRING database. Active ingredients candidate targets proteins networks were constructed using Cytoscape software for visualization. Additionally, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analyses were performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery database. Target-regulating microRNAs (miRNAs) of these hub genes were obtained from the therapeutic target database, which could then be used for further identification of AM-regulated key miRNAs.A total of 17 active ingredients and 214 target proteins were screened from AM. 61 candidate co-expressed genes with therapeutic effects against DN were obtained and considered as potential therapeutic targets. GO and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in inflammatory response, angiogenesis, oxidative stress reaction, HIF signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and VEGF signaling pathway. In all, 636 differentially expressed genes were identified between the DN patients and control group by using microarray data, GSE1009. Lastly, VEGFA, epidermal growth factor receptor, STAT1, and GJA1 were screened as hub genes. The relationships between miRNAs and hub genes were constructed, which showed that miR-302-3p, miR-372-3p, miR-373-3p, and miR-520-3p were regulated by VEGFA and epidermal growth factor receptor. Meanwhile, VEGFA also influenced miR-15-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-20-5p, miR-93-5p, miR-106-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-424-5p, miR-497-5p, and miR-519-3p. In addition, miR-1-3p and miR-206 were regulated by VEGFA and GJA1, and miR-23-3p was regulated by STAT1 and GJA1.To our knowledge, this study revealed for the first time the characteristic multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways of AM that seem to be the underlying mechanisms of action of AM in the treatment of DN with respect to miRNAs.Private information from individuals will not be published. This systematic review also does not involve endangering participant rights. Ethical approval will not be required. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated at relevant conferences.

Emodin Attenuates the ECM Degradation and Oxidative Stress of Chondrocytes through the Nrf2/NQO1/HO-1 Pathway to Ameliorate Rat Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) substantially reduces the quality of life of the elderly. OA therapy remains a challenge since no treatment options for its causes are so far available. Over recent years, researchers have speculated that emodin may represent a potential treatment strategy for OA. However, it remains unclear whether the mechanism of action of emodin is associated with the inhibition of OA-induced oxidative stress. In the present study, the potential antioxidant mechanism of action of emodin and its protective properties against the development of OA were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, emodin inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in chondrocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)3 and MMP13 in a concentration-dependent manner. It was found that emodin upregulated the Nrf2/NQO1/HO-1 pathway, thereby attenuating the effects of oxidative stress caused by OA. In a rat model of posttraumatic OA induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT), emodin reduced the extent of joint swelling. Emodin attenuated oxidative damage in the cartilage by upregulating superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) activity, reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and inhibiting the expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation biomarkers cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I) and type II collagen (CTX-II), thereby reducing cartilage damage. In summary, the present study indicates that emodin reduces ECM degradation and oxidative stress in chondrocytes via the Nrf2/NQO1/HO-1 pathway, thereby ameliorating OA in rats.

Osteopontin, a bridge links osteoarthritis and osteoporosis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease characterized by degradation of articular cartilage, inflammation, and changes in periarticular and subchondral bone of joints. Osteoporosis (OP) is another systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and bone mineral density (BMD) accompanied by microarchitectural deterioration in bone tissue and increased bone fragility and fracture risk. Both OA and OP are mainly affected on the elderly people. Recent studies have shown that osteopontin (OPN) plays a vital role in bone metabolism and homeostasis. OPN involves these biological activities through participating in the proliferation, migration, differentiation, and adhesion of several bone-related cells, including chondrocytes, synoviocytes, osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). OPN has been demonstrated to be closely related to the occurrence and development of many bone-related diseases, such as OA and OP. This review summarizes the role of OPN in regulating inflammation activity and bone metabolism in OA and OP. Furthermore, some drugs that targeted OPN to treat OA and OP are also summarized in the review. However, the complex mechanism of OPN in regulating OA and OP is not fully elucidated, which drives us to explore the depth effect of OPN on these two bone diseases.

Isorhamnetin attenuates high-fat and high-fructose diet induced cognitive impairments and neuroinflammation by mediating MAPK and NFκB signaling pathways

Isorhamnetin (ISO), a flavonoid compound isolated from sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) fruit, has anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effects of ISO on neuroinflammation and cognitive function are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of ISO on cognitive impairment in obese mice induced by a high-fat and high fructose diet (HFFD). It has been found that oral administration of ISO (0.03% w/w and 0.06% w/w) for 14 weeks significantly reduced the body weight, food intake, liver weight, liver lipid level, and serum lipid level of HFFD-fed mice. ISO can also significantly prevent HFFD-induced neuronal working, spatial, and long-term memory impairment. Notably, the ISO treatment activated the CREB/BDNF pathway and increased neurotrophic factors in the brains of mice. Furthermore, ISO inhibited HFFD-induced microglial overactivation and down-regulated inflammatory cytokines in both serum and the brain. It can also inhibit the expression of p-JNK, p-p38, and p-NFκB protein in the mouse brain. In conclusion, these results indicated that ISO mitigated HFFD-induced cognitive impairments by inhibiting the MAPK and NFκB signaling pathways, suggesting that ISO might be a plausible nutritional intervention for metabolic syndrome-related cognitive complications.

Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott Flower Extract Alleviates Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Factors in the Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis Rat Model

Introduction

This research was to evaluate the beneficial effects of Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott flower extract (SJF) on the adjuvant-induced arthritis rat model.

Methods

Arthritis was evoked by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in the hind paw. SJF (150 or 300 mg/kg/day) or Celecoxib (5 mg/kg/day) were administered intragastrically from the 0th day to the 28th day. The arthritis symptoms (paw edema, arthritic scores, mechanical hyperalgesia, and thermal hyperalgesia), inflammation biomarkers (RT and CRP), related enzymes (MMP1 and MMP13), oxidative stress markers (CAT, SOD, GPx, and MDA), and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1β) of SJF-treated CFA rats were evaluated.

Results

CFA rats exhibited severe arthritis symptoms, increased oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, SJF treatment relieving arthritis symptoms and restored body weight gain compared with those in the CFA group. SJF treatment decreased the levels of CRP, RF, MMP1, and MMP13 in the CFA group. Besides, SJF treatment increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes and decreased the MDA content and inflammatory cytokines compared with those in the CFA group. Moreover, SJF could increase the mRNA expression of GPx-1 and CAT and inhibit the mRNA expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in the ankle tissue of CFA rats.

Bioactive compounds, health benefits and functional food products of sea buckthorn: a review

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), which has been categorized as a "medicine food homology" fruit by China's National Health Commission for both nutritional and medicinal purposes, has nearly 200 kinds of nutritive and bioactive compounds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, sugar alcohols, superoxide dismutase and phytosterols. Significant bioactivity, including cardiovascular improvement, antidiabetic and anti-obesity activity, have highlighted the application of sea buckthorn. This review compiled a database of the phytochemical compounds in sea buckthorn, which contains the contents of 106 nutrients and 74 bioactive compounds. The health benefits of sea buckthorn and its extracts were summarized and the mechanism of anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation were introduced in detail. Seventeen common marketed products of sea buckthorn from 8 countries were collected. A future scope is really needed to explore the mechanism of sea buckthorn bioactive compounds along with the incorporation cost-effective functional food products.

Cartilage-targeting peptide-modified dual-drug delivery nanoplatform with NIR laser response for osteoarthritis therapy

Cartilage-targeting delivery of therapeutic agents is still an effective strategy for osteoarthritis (OA) therapy. Recently, scavenging for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activating autophagy have been increasingly reported to treat OA effectively. In this study, we designed, for the first time, a dual-drug delivery system based on metal organic framework (MOF)-decorated mesoporous polydopamine (MPDA) which composed of rapamycin (Rap) loaded into the mesopores and bilirubin (Br) loaded onto the shell of MOF. The collagen II-targeting peptide (WYRGRL) was then conjugated on the surface of above nanocarrier to develop a cartilage-targeting dual-drug delivery nanoplatform (RB@MPMW). Our results indicated the sequential release of two agents from RB@MPMW could be achieved via near-infrared (NIR) laser irritation. Briefly, the rapid release of Br from the MOF shell exhibited excellent ROS scavenging ability and anti-apoptosis effects, however responsively reduced autophagy activity, to a certain extent. Meanwhile, following the NIR irradiation, Rap was rapidly released from MPDA core and further enhanced autophagy activation and chondrocyte protection. RB@MPMW continuously phosphorylated AMPK and further rescued mitochondrial energy metabolism of chondrocytes following IL-1β stimulation via activating SIRT1-PGC-1α signaling pathway. Additionally, the cartilage-targeting property of peptide-modified nanocarrier could be monitored via Magnetic Resonance (MR) and IVIS imaging. More significantly, RB@MPMW effectively delayed cartilage degeneration in ACLT rat model. Overall, our findings indicated that the as-prepared dual-drug delivery nanoplatform exerted potent anti-inflammation and anti-apoptotic effects, rescued energy metabolism of chondrocytes in vitro and prevented cartilage degeneration in vivo, which thereby showed positive performance for OA therapy.

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Collagen type II-targeting peptide and positive surface potential endow RB@MPMW with a fine cartilage affinity ability.

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RB@MPMW possess superb biological functions of scavenging free radicals and autophagy induction.

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RB@MPMW effectively promotes chondrocyte mitochondrial energy metabolism in the inflammatory microenvironment.

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RB@MPMW has a good MR imaging ability, which could monitor its therapeutic effects in vivo.

Micronutrients: Essential Treatment for Inflammatory Arthritis?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Synovial inflammation is characteristic of inflammatory chronic arthropathies and can cause progressive articular damage, chronic pain, and functional loss. Scientific research has increasingly focused on investigating anti-inflammatory micronutrients present in fruits, vegetables, spices, seeds, tea, and wine. This review aims to examine the anti-inflammatory effect of polyphenols (phytonutrients present in plants) and other micronutrients described in randomized clinical trials conducted in patients with chronic inflammatory arthropathies.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is an increasing evidence that differences in micronutrient intake might play an essential role in pathogenesis, therapeutic response, and remission of synovitis. Randomized clinical trials with specific micronutrient- or nutrient-enriched food intake show improvement of symptoms and modulation of both pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. We found convincing evidence of the anti-inflammatory effect of several micronutrients in arthritis symptoms and inflammation. Although in clinical practice nutritional recommendations to patients with chronic joint inflammation are not consistently prescribed, the addition of these nutrients to day-to-day eating habits could potentially change the natural history of inflammatory arthritis. Future research is needed for a consensus on the specific nutritional recommendations for patients with chronic synovial inflammation.