Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Against Gouty Arthritis via Regulating Nrf2 Signaling Pathway： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20250402
- VernacularTitle:中医药调控Nrf2信号通路防治痛风性关节炎的研究进展
- Author:
Siyi CHEN
1
;
Shumin HUANG
2
;
Yushan ZHAO
2
;
Jiajin LIN
1
;
Qian SHI
1
;
Yefeng CHEN
1
;
Yize ZHANG
1
;
Zhongwen ZHAO
2
Author Information
1. Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Fuzhou 350122，China
2. The Second People's Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Fuzhou 350003，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） signaling pathway;
traditional Chinese medicine;
gouty arthritis;
mechanism of action;
research progress
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(10):323-330
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Gouty arthritis （GA） is an inflammatory disorder caused by monosodium urate （MSU） crystal deposition， accompanied by elevated oxidative stress and aberrant release of inflammatory cytokines， resulting in joint tissue damage and intense pain. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， a key transcription factor regulating the antioxidant defence system， exerts cytoprotective effects through dissociation from Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1） and activates downstream antioxidant response element （ARE）-mediated pathways. It can upregulate the expression of heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and glutathione transferase （GST） to preserve redox homeostasis. Moreover， Nrf2 can suppress activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasomes， reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production and release， modulate nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） transcriptional activity， regulate gut microbiota balance， enhance mitophagy， and inhibit apoptosis， so as to reduce joint inflammation and pain and promote body recovery. This review systematically examined recent advancements in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） for GA prevention and treatment via regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. It delineated Nrf2's molecular mechanisms and its role in GA pathogenesis and elucidated how TCM intervenes in multiple pathways including Keap1/Nrf2/ARE， Nrf2/HO-1（NQO1）， and Nrf2/NF-κB/NLRP3 to exert therapeutic effects. The study demonstrated that TCM monomers and compounds effectively counteract oxidative damage， attenuate inflammatory responses， promote autophagy， and inhibit apoptosis via regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings not only clarify the scientific basis of TCM in GA treatment but also offer strategic insights for developing novel Nrf2-targeted anti-gout drugs.
