Protective effects of Fructus sophorae extract on collagen-induced arthritis in BALB/c mice

Spermidine Inhibits Joints Inflammation and Macrophage Activation in Mice with Collagen-Induced Arthritis

Purpose

Spermidine (SPD) is a naturally occurring polyamine. In this study, we examined the role and possible mechanism of SPD in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice.

Materials and Methods

CIA mice were intraperitoneally injected with SPD (2 and 50 mg/kg), dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg), or saline daily for 21 days. The severity of the disease and inflammatory responses in the serum and joint tissue were assessed through macroscopic, immunohistochemical, and histological analyses.

Results

Macroscopic and histological results indicated that SPD protected against the development of CIA. SPD suppressed the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β and increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 in the serum. Immunohistochemical staining showed that 50 mg/kg SPD inhibited iNOS expression in synovial macrophages in the ankle joints of CIA mice.

Conclusion

These results suggest that SPD may protect CIA mice by inhibiting the polarization of M1 macrophages in the synovial tissue, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and promoting anti-inflammatory factor release.

Adaptogenic flower buds exert cancer preventive effects by enhancing the SCFA-producers, strengthening the epithelial tight junction complex and immune responses

Microbiome therapy has attracted a keen interest from both research and business sectors. Our lab has been applying this "second genome" platform to assess the functionality of herbal medicines with fulfilling results. In this study, we applied this platform to assess the potential cancer-preventive effects of three selected adaptogenic plants. The flower buds from these plants were used to constitute Preparations SL and FSP according to the receipts of two commonly consumed Chinese medicinal decoctions for gastrointestinal discomfort. Preparation SL contains Sophorae japonica and Lonicerae Japonicae, and Preparation FSP contains Sophorae japonica and Gardenia Jasminoides. SL and FSP extracts significantly (p < 0.001) lowered the polyp burden, as well as the expressions of oncogenic signaling molecules, such as MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, and STAT3 in Apc^Min/+ mice. The inflamed gut was alleviated by shifting M1 to M2 macrophage phenotypes and the associated immune cytokines. The other remarkable change was on the extracellular tight junction protein complex, where the occludin, ZO-1, ICAM-1, E-cadherin were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated while the N-cadherin and β-catenin were downregulated in the treated mice. The above physiological changes in the gut epithelial barrier were companied with the changes in gut microbiome. The 16S Sequencing data revealed a marked decrease in the potential pathogens (especially Helicobacter species and hydrogen sulfide producing-bacteria) and the increase in beneficial bacteria (especially for species from the genera of Akkermansia, Barnesiella, Coprococcus, Lachnoclostridium, and Ruminococcus). The majority of which were the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) producers. Meanwhile SCFAs-sensing G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including GPR41, GPR43, and GPR109a were also significantly upregulated. In a recent report, we proved that the bacteria-derived SCFAs plays an essential role to the anti-cancer effects of the mushroom polysaccharides and saponins in Apc^Min/+ mice. In this study, we further demonstrated that butyrate treatment could enhance the extracellular tight junction protein complex as effective as the treatments with SL and FSP to the Apc^Min/+ mice. Our findings provide strong evidence of the vital role of the SCFA-producers and their metabolites to the cancer-preventive properties of the SL and FSP preparations.

The impact of Clonorchis sinensis infection on immune response in mice with type II collagen-induced arthritis

BACKGROUND

Clonorchis sinensis infection could trigger strong immune responses in mice and humans. However, whether the C.sinensis infection has an impact on arthritis is unknown. Here we investigated the effect of C.sinensis infection on type II collagen-induced arthritis in BALB/c mice.

RESULTS

The mice were firstly infected with 45 C.sinensis metacercariae by oral gavage. Four weeks later, arthritis in mice was induced by type II collagen. Joint inflammation with severe redness and swelling in hind paws was observed in type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. Besides, the physical activity was significantly reduced, but the respiratory exchange ratio was increased in CIA mice. Compared with CIA mice, C.sinensis infection could increase the severity of arthritis in CIA mice, based on the results of disease score and pathological changes. Compared to CIA mice, increased neutrophils and Ly6C^hi monocytes, decreased B cells and CD4⁺T cells, were found in C.sinensis infected CIA mice. Besides these, C.sinensis infected mice also displayed significantly higher levels of serum IL-4 and IL-17 than those in CIA mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our data suggest that C.sinensis infection have a bad effect on arthritis, and could induce the abnormality of the immune response in mice with CIA.

Therapeutic Potential Of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Derived Selenium Nanoparticles In Arthritic Balb/c Mice

Purpose

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune multifactorial disorder that primarily affects the joints. Currently available treatment options, although effective, still present some side effects. This study proposes an alternative treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis through elucidation of therapeutic potential of Foeniculum vulgare Mill.-derived selenium nanoparticles in arthritic Balb/c mice.

Methods

Synthesis and characterization of selenium nanoparticles were followed by their toxicity analysis on healthy mice. Subsequently, anti-arthritic efficacy of two doses (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) of synthesized selenium nanoparticles was checked on arthritic mice using multiple parameters.

Results

Selenium nanoparticles in 10 mg/kg dose turned out to be more effective in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis as evident by significant reduction in paw volume and normal clinical chemistry parameters of treated arthritic mice. This dose also showed significant antioxidant activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.

Conclusion

Foeniculum vulgare Mill.-derived selenium nanoparticles retain significant anti-arthritic and antioxidant potential and consequently can further be explored as an alternative treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis.

Dietary fruits and arthritis

Arthritis is a global health concern affecting a significant proportion of the population and associated with reduced quality of life. Among the different forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the most common and lacking a definite cure in the affected individuals. Fruits, such as berries and pomegranates are rich sources of a variety of dietary bioactive compounds, especially the polyphenolic flavonoids that have been associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Emerging research demonstrates a protective role of fruits and their polyphenols in pre-clinical, clinical and epidemiological studies of OA and RA. In this context, commonly available fruits, such as blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, and pomegranates have shown promising results in reducing pain and inflammation in experimental models and in human clinical studies of arthritis. There is also some evidence on the role of specific fruit polyphenols, such as quercetin and citrus flavonoids in alleviating RA symptoms. These emerging data deserve further investigation in rigorous scientific studies to determine the mechanisms, dosing and selection of fruits and fruit extracts in arthritis management.