Abstract
BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by synovitis. Pien Tze Huang (PZH) is a Chinese patent medicine with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. However, whether PZH could be used in RA therapy is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and the potential mechanism of PZH on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice.MethodsMale DBA/1J mice were used to establish an animal model of CIA and then treated with different doses of PZH for 4 weeks. The therapeutic effect of PZH on CIA mice was evaluated by arthritis score, pathological staining, and detecting the levels of inflammatory factors in serum and joints. To investigate its possible mechanism, the activity of NF-κB signaling pathway, NLRP3 inflammasome and the level of A20 were detected.ResultsThe results showed that PZH could alleviate the erythema and swelling of hind paws of CIA mice, improve the pathological conditions of joint and decrease the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17 in serum and joints. Furthermore, PZH could significantly inhibit the activity of NF-κB signaling pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome in the ankle joint of CIA mice compared with the model group. It also increased the level of A20 in the ankle joint of CIA mice.ConclusionThis study indicated that PZH could alleviate the joint inflammation of CIA mice, and the mechanism might be related to the regulation of NF-κB signaling pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome.
Highlights
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by synovitis
Pien Tze Huang (PZH) ameliorated the symptoms of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice To investigate the effect of PZH on arthritis, different dose of PZH were orally administered to the CIA mice for 4 consecutive weeks, and MTX was used as a positive control
PZH decreased the production of cytokines in serum and joints of CIA mice To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of PZH, the ELISA and immunohistochemistry analysis were used to detect the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum and synovium, respectively
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by synovitis. Pien Tze Huang (PZH) is a Chinese patent medicine with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Pien Tze Huang (PZH), a well‐known traditional Chinese formula, consists of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Tianqi or Sanqi), calculus bovis (Niuhuang or ox’s gallstone), Shedan (snake’s gall) and musk [11]. It has been used in China and Southeast Asia for centuries as a folk remedy for various inflammation related diseases, such as hepatitis. Ginsenoside Rg1 and ginsenoside metabolite compound K could markedly regulate NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB nuclear translocation [14, 15] Based on these studies, we hypothesized that PZH might have therapeutic effect on CIA mice. This research aimed to explore the therapeutic potential and possible mechanism of PZH on CIA mice
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
