Abstract
Simiao pill, a Chinese herbal formula containing four herbs, has been used in the treatment of gouty arthritis for many years. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of modified Simiao decoction (MSD) on IL-1β and TNFα secretion in monocytic THP-1 cells with monosodium urate (MSU) crystals-induced inflammation. The MSU crystals-induced inflammation model in THP-1 cells was successfully established by the stimulation of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and MSU crystals. Then, the MSD-derived serum or control serum extracted from rat was administered to different treatment groups. The morphology of MSU crystals and THP-1 cells was observed. IL-1β and TNFα protein expression in supernatant of THP-1 cells were determined by ELISA. Our data demonstrated that MSU crystals induced time-dependent increase of IL-1β and TNFα. Moreover, MSD significantly decreased IL-1β release in THP-1 cells with MSU crystals-induced inflammation. These results suggest that MSD is promising in the treatment of MSU crystals-induced inflammation in THP-1 cells. MSD may act as an anti-IL-1 agent in treating gout. The underlying mechanism may be related to NALP3 inflammasome which needs to be validated in future studies.
Highlights
Gout, one of the most common inflammatory arthritis in men, is characterized by hyperuricaemia and deposition of monosodium urate (MSU)
In traditional pharmacologic studies of traditional Chinese medicine, crude drugs or crude drug compounds are directly added into the culture system of cells or organs in vitro
The compositions of traditional Chinese medicine or drug compound are complex and many of the compositions are ineffective until they undergo a series of biotransformations after digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract
Summary
One of the most common inflammatory arthritis in men, is characterized by hyperuricaemia and deposition of monosodium urate (MSU). Simiao pill, which was derived from Ermiao powder and described in a famous traditional Chinese medicine monograph Chengfang Biandu in Qing Dynasty of China, has been wildly applied for treatment of gout and inflammatory arthritis. It is composed of four individual herbs: rhizoma atractylodis, cortex phellodendri, radix achyranthis bidentatae, and semen coicis. To cope with the complicated pathologic states of gout in different stages, a modified Simiao decoction (MSD) has been developed based on clinical research, clinical experience, and traditional Chinese medicine theory
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