Tripterygium glycosides inhibit inflammatory mediators in the rat synovial RSC-364 cell line stimulated with interleukin-1β

Role of interleukin‑32 in cancer progression (Review)

Interleukin (IL)-32 is induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines and promotes the release of inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, it can promote inflammatory responses. The present review article summarized the role of the receptors required for IL-32 action, the biological function of IL-32 and its mechanism of action in tumors. Moreover, it assessed the significance of aberrant IL-32 expression in associated diseases and analyzed the effects of IL-32 on four key types of cancer: Colorectal, gastric, breast and lung. However, the mechanism of action of IL-32 needs to be further demonstrated by assessing the role of this cytokine in cancer to elucidate novel and reliable targets for future cancer treatments.

Voltage-gated sodium channels, potential targets of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. to exert activity and produce toxicity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. has been widely used in clinical practice due to its good anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. However, its application is limited by potential toxicity and side effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to identify the mechanisms responsible for the pharmacological activity and cardiotoxicity of the main monomers of Tripterygium wilfordii.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Database analysis predicted that ion channels may be potential targets of Tripterygium wilfordii. The regulatory effects of monomers (triptolide, celastrol, demethylzeylasteral, and wilforgine) on protein Nav1.5 and Nav1.7 were predicted and detected by Autodock and patch clamping. Then, we used the formalin-induced pain model and evaluated heart rate and myocardial zymograms to investigate the analgesic activity and cardiotoxicity of each monomer in vivo.

RESULTS

All four monomers were able to bind to Nav1.7 and Nav1.5 with different binding energies and subsequently inhibited the peak currents of both Nav1.7 and Nav1.5. The monomers all exhibited analgesic effects on formalin-induced pain; therefore, we hypothesized that Nav1.7 is one of the key analgesic targets. Demethylzeylasteral reduced heart rate and increased the level of creatine kinase-MB, thus suggesting a potential cardiac risk; data suggested that the inhibitory effect on Nav1.5 might be an important factor underlying its cardiotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide an important theoretical basis for the further screening of active monomers with higher levels of activity and lower levels of toxicity.

Anti-inflammatory natural products as potential therapeutic agents of rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease causing severe locomotor disability and deterioration in the quality of life. Existing treatments for RA mainly focus on the use of immunomodulators and the suppression of synovial inflammation, and many have significant side effects. Medicinal plants are regarded as important alternative sources for treating RA.

PURPOSE

This review summarizes the bioactive compounds of medicinal plants, which have been shown to modulate the immune response by regulating interleukins in vitro and in vivo experimental models, and that may be promising substances for use in the treatment of RA.

METHODS

Articles on natural products used for the management of arthritis were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science through electronic and manual search in English. In total, 576 publications were identified, and 34 were included in this systematic review.

RESULTS

Two articles presented findings on the role of natural components in the treatment of arthritis in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Nine reports defined the role of plant-derived natural molecules in the treatment of arthritis using cell lines, and 27 in vivo studies assessed the anti-arthritic efficacy and immunomodulation effects of phytoconstituents on interleukin production and inflammatory responses.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review broadly reports that, in contrast to other classes of phytochemicals, flavonoids have the greatest therapeutic potential against arthritis by modulating the expression of pro-inflammatory TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17, as well as anti-inflammatory IL-2 and IL-10 cytokines, through the suppression of dynamic inflammatory biomarkers.

Research Progress on the Mechanism of Natural Product Ingredients in the Treatment of Uveitis

Background

As the spectrum of ophthalmic diseases keeps changing, uveitis has gradually become one of the major blinding eye diseases in the world. In recent years, it has become a research hotspot to select effective components for uveitis treatment from natural drugs.

Methods

We searched PubMed and EMBASE databases for studies written in English as well as Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), CQVIP, and Wan Fang database for studies written in Chinese (inception through 30 December 2020).

Results

Eight kinds of natural product ingredients were included in this article. They were found to not only regulate the expression of cytokines, proliferation, and differentiation of T help cells but also inhibit the damage of cytokines and inflammatory cells to uvea, blood aqueous barrier, and blood retinal barrier.

Conclusion

Natural product ingredients have their unique advantages in the treatment of uveitis. They have good anti-inflammatory effects without causing serious adverse reactions, which enables them to be promising choices for preventive and therapeutic strategy of uveitis.

Matrine inhibits synovial angiogenesis in collagen-induced arthritis rats by regulating HIF-VEGF-Ang and inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Matrine (Mat) is an alkaloid of tetracycline quinazine, and previous studies have demonstrated its specific effect on relieving rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the effect of Mat on joint synovial angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of RA has not been elucidated. In this study, body weight, joint swelling, arthritis index (AI) score, histopathological changes, immunohistochemical, and western blot- were used in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats to detect pro-inflammatory factors and, - expression levels of key cytokines and proteins along the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-angiopoietin (Ang) axis and VEGF-phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) / protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. In vitro experiments were conducted to observe the effect of Mat on the proliferation, migration and lumen formation of RA-fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Results showed that Mat reduced the degree of paw swelling and AI score in CIA rats, joint synovial tissue proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and neovascularization; moreover, it down-regulated the expression levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-1β, interferon-γ, and pro-angiogenic factors VEGF, placental growth factor, HIF-α, Ang-1, Ang-2, Tie-2, and phosphorylation-Akt in the ankle joint of CIA rats. In addition, the in vitro experiments showed that Mat inhibited the proliferation and migration of RA-FLS and inhibited the proliferation and lumen formation of HUVECs. Therefore, Mat exerts an anti-angiogenesis effect by regulating the HIF-VEGF-Ang axis and inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This inhibits the pathogenesis and improve the symptoms of RA, and may be offered as a candidate drug for the treatment of RA.

The Efficacy of Tripterygium Glycosides Combined with LMWH in Treatment of HSPN in Children

Objective

This study aimed to explore the clinical efficacy and relevant mechanism of Tripterygium glycosides combined with low molecular weight heparin calcium (LMWH) in the treatment of Henoch–Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) in children.

Methods

64 cases of children patients with HSPN treated at Qilu Hospital (Qingdao) from January 2015 to May 2020 were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the observation group and 32 cases in each group. Conventional medical treatment was applied in the two groups, besides which the control group was given LMWH while the observation group was given Tripterygium glycosides based on the control group. The clinical efficacy and the indexes of clinical symptoms of the two groups were compared. Immune globulin level, fibrinogen content (FIB), prothrombin time (PT), platelet level (PLT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) level of the two groups were compared before and after the treatment.

Results

The total effective rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the recurrence rate in the observation group was lower than that in the control group. After treatment, urine red blood cell count and 24 h urine protein were obviously better than those of the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in PT between the two groups of children before and after treatment. The levels of PLT and FIB in the two groups of patients after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment, and the PLT levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group.

Conclusion

The combination of Tripterygium glycosides and LMWH had good clinical effects in the treatment of children with HSPN, and it could improve the clinical symptoms, the mechanism of which might be related to the increase of PT, a decrease of PLT, and the improvement of coagulation function.

Glycosides of Caulis Lonicerae inhibits the inflammatory proliferation of IL-1β-mediated fibroblast-like synovial cells cocultured with lymphocytes

Caulis Lonicerae, the dried stem of Lonicera japonica, has been confirmed to have antiinflammatory and antioxidant therapeutic effects. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the functional mechanism of glycosides extracted from Caulis Lonicerae on the inflammatory proliferation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)-mediated fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from rats. Rat FLSs (RSC-364) co-cultured with lymphocytes induced by IL-1β were used as a cell model. Glycosides in a freeze-dried powder of aqueous extract from Caulis Lonicerae were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry. After treatment with glycosides, the inflammatory proliferation of FLS, induced by IL-1β, decreased significantly. Flow cytometry analysis showed that treatment with glycosides restored the abnormal balance of T cells by intervening in the proliferation and differentiation of helper T (Th) cells. Glycosides also inhibited the activation of Janus kinase signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathways by suppressing the protein expression of key molecules in these pathways. Therefore, we concluded that the glycosides of Caulis Lonicerae can intervene in the differentiation of Th cells, suppressing the activation of JAK-STAT and NF-κB signaling pathways, contributing to the inhibitory effect on inflammatory proliferation of FLS co-cultured with lymphocytes induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Tripterygium glycoside improves regulatory T cells and attenuates acute organ dysfunction in septic mice

Sepsis is a fatal infectious disease accompanied by multiple organ failure. Immune dysfunction and inflammatory response play an important role in the progression of the disease. Tripterygium glycoside (TG) has immune suppression and anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we investigated the effects of TG on cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis. Septic mice model was induced by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP), after administration of TG, specimens are collected at designated time points. Histopathology changes of lung tissues and Kidney tissues were observed under light microscope, magnetic microbeads were used to isolate splenic CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), and phenotypes were then analyzed by flow cytometry. ELISA method was employed to detect the concentrations of plasma TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10. Nuclear p-NF-κB and Cytoplasmic IkB-a was detected by western blot. TG administration significantly alleviated lung and kidney inflammatory injury and improved the survival of septic mice. Furthermore, the suppressive function of regulatory T cells was enhanced and plasma expression of IL-10 was increased following TG treatment. The NF-B signaling pathway and secretion of plasma TNF-α and IL-6 was notably inhibited in septic mice treated with TG. TG exerts protective effects through improving regulatory T cells and attenuating pro-inflammatory cytokines in septic mice.

Influence of a combination of triptolide and ferulic acid on the activities of CYP450 enzymes and oxidative stress in HaCaT cells

Topical administration of triptolide (TP) is effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but it can also induce skin irritation. Previous studies have used data mining strategies to analyze the application of Tripterygium wilfordii in the treatment of RA and have shown that TP and ferulic acid (FA) can be used in combination due to their component compatibility. The aims of the present study were to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of TP treatment and to identify its effects on metabolism and oxidative damage in the skin. MTT assay results suggested that the HaCaT cell survival rate was significantly increased when the compatibility ratio of TP to FA was 1:100. Moreover, the combination of TP with FA (TP + FA) did not significantly affect the activities of the cytochrome P40 (CYP) enzymes CYP family 1 subfamily A member 2 (CYP1A2), CYP2E1 and CYP3A4, when used as a 'cocktail'. It was found that TP + FA significantly decreased the production levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde in HaCaT cells, while significantly increasing levels of glutathione and catalase. In addition, TP + FA significantly increased nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 protein expression, compared with TP alone. Thus, the present results indicated that the underlying mechanism of TP + FA efficacy may be related to decreased ROS production level in HaCaT cells, increased production levels of key antioxidant factors and increased antioxidant activity of the epidermis, all of which were correlated with a protective effect against oxidative damage.

A pediatric case of generalized lichen aureus

Lichen aureus is a particularly rare subtype of pigmented purpuric dermatosis and is characterized by the sudden appearance of golden or rust-colored macules or needle-tip-sized flat papules (concentrated in one region to form lichenoid papules) on the lower limbs. These skin lesions are usually confined to an isolated, unilateral distribution, and linear segmental distribution is rare. In this report, we have documented one such case, where the lesions on the limb were arranged in strips (segmental distribution) that roughly followed the direction of the venous drainage. And the first attack and subsequent aggravation were both associated with the onset of allergic rhinitis, a Type I hypersensitivity.

Phytochemicals targeting matrix metalloproteinases regulating tissue degradation in inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis

PURPOSE

Matrix metalloproteinases, zinc dependent proteolytic enzymes, have significant implications in extracellular matrix degradation associated with tissue damage in inflammation and Rheumatoid arthritis. Numerous orchestrated pathways affects instigation and blockade of metalloproteinases as well as various factors that increase the expression of MMPs including inflammatory cytokines, hormones and growth factors. Direct inhibition of these proteolytic enzymes or modulation of these pathways can provide protection against tissue destruction in inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis. Inclination towards use of plant derived phytochemicals to prevent tissue damage has been increasing day by day. Diversity of phytochemicals have been known to directly inhibit metalloproteinases. Hence, thorough knowledge of phytochemicals is very important in novel drug discovery.

METHODS

Present communication evaluates various classes of phytochemicals, in effort to unveil the lead molecules as potential therapeutic agents, for prevention of MMPs mediated tissue damage in inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis. Data have been analyzed through different search engines.

RESULTS

Numerous phytochemicals have been studied for their role as MMPs inhibitors which can be processed further to develop into useful drugs for the treatment of inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis.

CONCLUSION

In search of new drugs, phytochemicals like flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, lignans & terpenes offer a wide canvas to develop into valuable forthcoming medicaments.

Inhibition of C5a prevents IL-1β-induced alternations in rat synoviocytes in vitro

C5a is an important pro-inflammatory peptide involved in complement activation, membrane attack complex formation, immune cell chemotaxis, and allergic responses. Osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by degenerative changes in articular cartilage. It has recently been found that inflammatory responses play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and also in rheumatoid arthritis, where dysfunctional synoviocytes are involved. We performed a series of studies to verify our hypothesis that inhibition of C5a would prevent IL-1β-induced alternations in rat synoviocytes. In vitro studies were performed with RSC-364 cells to examine the role of C5a in the function of synoviocytes. RSC-364 cells (a rat derived synovial cell line) were treated with IL-1β, IL-1β+siC5a, IL-1β+PMX205 that is antagonist of C5aR, or left untreated. Cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, as well as levels of C5a, IL-17A and TNF-α expression were evaluated. We found that IL-1β could significantly increase the proliferation and invasion capabilities of RSC-364 cells, as well as of C5a IL-17A and TNF-α expression. In contrast, inhibition of C5a by siRNA or application of antagonist of C5aR PMX205 reversed the IL-1β-induced changes in C5a expression, cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and cytokines releases. Taken together, our study results suggest that IL-1β can increase C5a expression in RSC-364 cells, and that C5a exerts a proinflammatory effect in RSC-364 cells. Inhibition of C5a might represent a new strategy for treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Tripterygium wilfordii Glycosides Upregulate the New Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine IL-37 through ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK Signal Pathways

As a Chinese traditional patent medicine, Tripterygium wilfordii glycosides (TWG) have been approved by the China State Food and Drug Administration (Z32021007) for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Application of TWG leads to significant decrease of the inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. However, little is known whether TWG could regulate the anti-inflammatory cytokines and what the mechanism is. Here, we found that TWG could induce the upregulation of IL-37 which is a new anti-inflammatory cytokine. Furthermore, the inhibitors of ERK1/2 and/or p38 MAPK pathways suppressed IL-37 expression induced by TWG, indicating that the two pathways took part in this process. In conclusion, TWG could upregulate the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-37 and ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signal pathways were involved in the upregulation of IL-37 induced by TWG. The results showed that TWG had a potent activity on promoting the expression of IL-37, a new anti-inflammatory cytokine, which help further understanding the anti-inflammatory mechanism for the clinical application of TWG in therapy of diseases.

Inhibitory effect of Triperygium wilfordii polyglucoside on dipeptidyl peptidase I in vivo and in vitro

BACKGROUD

Dipeptidyl peptidase I (DPPI), a lysosomal cysteine protease is derived from granule immune cells including mast cell, neutrophils, and toxicity T cells. DPPI can activate serine proteases by removal of dipeptides from N-termini of the pro-proteases, resulting in granule immune cells activation which involved in physiological or pathological responses. Triperygium Wilfordii Polyglucoside (TWP) is one of the traditional Chinese medicines, and commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. The present study intended to evaluate the effects of TWP on DPPI activity.

METHODS

In vivo and in vitro studies were carried out to investigate the functions of TWP or triptolide (TP) on DPPI activities in serum, tissues of CIA rats. Rats were divided into five groups randomly: normal group, untreated CIA rat group, TWP treatment CIA groups (the low dose 2.5mg/100g body-weight and high dose 5mg/100g body-weight), and TP treatment CIA group (4μg/100g body-weight). Arthritis development was monitored visually, and joint pathology was examined radiologically. Total protein concentrations in synovial fluids (SFs) were determined by BCA method. Serums and tissue homogenates from CIA rats were collected and DPPI activities were detected using fluorescence substrate GF-AFC. The in vitro interactions between DPPI in serums or in tissue homogenates and TWP or TP were assessed.

RESULTS

TWP-treated CIA rats showed a significant improvement in bone erosion. TWP significantly suppressed paw swelling and total protein concentration in the SFs of CIA rats compared with untreated CIA rats. The elevated activities of DPPI in serums or tissues of CIA rats were significantly inhibited by TWP, but not by TP in vivo. The inhibitory effects of TWP on DPPI activities were also confirm by in vitro study.

CONCLUSION

One of the therapeutic functions of TWP in RA treatment could be inhibiting DPPI activity in serums and synovial tissue produced during RA development, and then reducing inflammatory serine proteases activities and further recovering CIA rats from RA symptoms.

Triptolide inhibits the migration and invasion of rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocytes by blocking the activation of the JNK MAPK pathway

Triptolide, a primary active ingredient extracted from a traditional Chinese herb, Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, has been demonstrated to have a positive therapeutic effect on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, its mechanism of action against RA is not well established. Therefore, in the present study, we observed the effect of triptolide on the aggressive behavior of RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA FLSs), and we explored its underlying signal mechanisms. We found that triptolide treatment significantly reduced the migratory and invasive capacities of RA FLSs in vitro. We also demonstrated that the invasion of RA FLSs into the cartilage, evaluated in the severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse co-implantation model, was attenuated by treatment with triptolide in vivo. Additionally, the immunofluorescence results showed that triptolide treatment decreased the polymerization of F-actin and the activation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). To gain insight into the molecular signal mechanisms, we determined the effect of triptolide on the activation of MAPK signal pathways. Our results indicate that triptolide treatment reduced the TNF-α-induced expression of phosphorylated JNK, but did not affect the expression of phosphorylated p38 and ERK. A JNK-specific inhibitor decreased the migration of RA FLSs. We also observed that triptolide administration improved clinical arthritic conditions and joint destruction in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Thus, our findings suggest that the therapeutic effects of triptolide on RA might be, in part, due to its contribution to the aggressive behavior of RA FLSs.

Protective effect of cannabidiol on hydrogen peroxide‑induced apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress in nucleus pulposus cells

Cannabidiol, a major component of marijuana, protects nerves, and exerts antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and anti‑anxiety effects. In the current study, the protective effect of cannabidiol was observed to prevent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‑induced apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress in nucleus pulposus cells. Nucleus pulposus cells were isolated from rats and cultured in vitro, and H2O2 was used to construct the nucleus pulposus cell model. Cell viability of the nucleus pulposus cells was assessed using a 3‑(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5‑diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The ratio of apoptotic cells, and caspase‑3 or cyclooxygenase‑2 (COX‑2) mRNA expression was analyzed by annexin V‑fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium‑iodide staining and reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The quantities of interleukin (IL)‑1β and interleukin‑6 were measured using a series of assay kits. B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression levels were analyzed using western blotting. The present study identified that cannabidiol enhanced cell viability and reduced apoptosis in H2O2‑treated nucleus pulposus cells in vitro using a lumbar disc herniation (LDH) model. In addition, cannabidiol reduced caspase‑3 gene expression and augmented the Bcl‑2 protein expression levels in the nucleus pulposus cells following H2O2 exposure. Pre‑treatment with cannabidiol suppressed the promotion of COX‑2, iNOS, IL‑1β and IL‑6 expression in the nucleus pulposus cells following H2O2 exposure. Taken together, these results suggest that cannabidiol potentially exerts its protective effect on LDH via the suppression of anti‑apoptosis, anti‑inflammation and anti‑oxidative activities in nucleus pulposus cells.