Wantong Jingu Tablet (WJT), a mixture of traditional Chinese medicine, was reported to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but its pharmacological mechanism was not completely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of WJT for RA in vivo. The effects of WJT on joint pathology, as well as the levels of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-3, ERK1/2, pERK1/2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were measured using collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. The intestinal flora composition and the metabolites alteration were analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolomics method, respectively. We found that WJT ameliorated the severity of the CIA rats which might be mediated by inducing apoptosis, inactivating the MEK/ERK signals and reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. WJT, in part, relieved the gut microbiota dysbiosis, especially bacterial phylum Bacteroidetes, Tenericutes and Deferribacteres, as well as bacterial genus Vibrio, Macrococcus and Vagococcus. 3'-N-debenzoyl-2'-deoxytaxol, tubulysin B, and magnoline were significantly associated with the specific genera. We identified serotonin, glutathione disulfide, N-acetylneuraminic acid, naphthalene and thromboxane B2 as targeted molecules via metabolomics. Our findings contributed to the understanding of RA pathogenesis, and WJT played essential roles in gut microbiota health and metabolite modulation in the CIA rats.
Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Dysbiosis ; Metabolomics ; Rats ; Tablets

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) on inflammatory factors and intestinal flora in the rats with adjuvant arthritis. METHODS: A total of 36 Wistar rats were randomized into a normal group, a model group and a moxibustion group, 12 rats in each one. In the model group and the moxibustion group, the adjuvant arthritis model was established by a compound method, including the environmental factors, i.e. wind, cold and damp, and Freund's complete adjuvant. In the moxibustion group, moxibustion intervention was exerted at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Shenshu" (BL 23), for 20 min at each acupoint, once daily, consecutively for 21 days. The paw swelling degree and arthritis index (AI) score were observed before and after intervention in the rats of each group. Using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method (real-time PCR) and Western blot method, the mRNA and protein expressions of inflammatory factors of colon tissue, i.e. interleukin (IL) 1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, were detected after intervention in the rats of each group. The intestinal flora was detected with 16SrRNA sequencing technology after intervention in the rats of each group. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the paw swelling degree and AI score were increased in the rats of the model group ( CONCLUSION Moxibustion at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) relieves the joint symptoms of adjuvant arthritis rats and inhibits the expressions of inflammatory factors, which is probably related to the regulation of the structure of intestinal flora.
Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental/therapy* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Moxibustion ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

A fluorescence endoscopic laser confocal microscope(FELCM) was used to direct the injection of sinomenine solid lipid nanoparticles(Sin-SLN) into the joint, and the in vitro effectiveness of Sin-SLN in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) was evaluated. Sin-SLN was prepared with the emulsion evaporation-low temperature curing method. The Sin-SLN prepared under the optimal conditions showed the encapsulation efficiency of 64.79%±3.12%, the drug loading of 3.84%±0.28%, the average particle size of(215.27±4.21) nm, and the Zeta potential of(-32.67±0.84) mV. Moreover, the Sin-SLN demonstrated good stability after sto-rage for 30 days. The rabbit model of RA was established by the subcutaneous injection of ovalbumin and complete Freund's adjuvant. Five groups were designed, including a control group, a model group, a Sin(1.5 mg·kg~(-1)) group, a Sin-SLN(1.5 mg·kg~(-1)) group, and a dexamethasone(positive drug, 1.0 mg·kg~(-1), ig) group. The control group and the model group only received puncture treatment without drug injection. After drug administration, the local skin temperature and knee joint diameter were monitored every day. The knee joint diameter and the local skin temperature were lower in the drug administration groups than in the model group(P<0.05, P<0.01). FELCM recorded the morphological alterations of the cartilage of knee joint. The Sin-SLN group showed compact tissue structure and smooth surface of the cartilage. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to determine the serum le-vels of interleukin-1(IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). The findings revealed that the Sin-SLN group had lower IL-1 and TNF-α levels than the model group(P<0.05, P<0.01). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was employed to reveal the pathological changes of the synovial tissue, which were significantly mitigated in the Sin-SLN group. The prepared Sin-SLN had uniform particle size and high stability. Through joint injection administration, a drug reservoir was formed. Sin-SLN effectively alleviate joint swelling and cartilage damage of rabbit, down-regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited the epithelial proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration of the synovial tissue, demonstrating the efficacy in treating RA.
Animals ; Rabbits ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Fluorescence ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-1 ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of METHODS: Healthy male DBA/1 mice were used for CIA modeling. Twenty-five CIA mice with successful modeling and similar arthritis index (AI) scores were randomized equally into model group (CIA), methotrexate (MTX) group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose XWGD groups (0.975, 1.95, and 3.9 g/mL, respectively), with another 5 normal mice as the normal control group. The mice in normal control and CIA groups were given saline once a day, those in MTX group were given 0.1 mg/mL MTX once a week, and those in XWGD groups were treated daily via garage of XWGD containing crude drugs of different doses for 28 consecutive days. The AI score and HE staining were used to evaluate the changes in the joints of the CIA mice. The effect of XWGD on Th1, Th17, MDSC, G-MDSC and M-MDSC cells were evaluated with flow cytometry. RESULTS: Treatment with MTX and different doses of XWGD significantly decreased the AI score of the mice and relieved joint inflammation as compared with the model group ( CONCLUSIONS XWGD can improve joint inflammation in CIA mice by increasing the percentages of G-MDSC cells and decreasing the percentages of M-MDSC, Th1 and Th17 cells, and a high dose of XWGD can produce an equivalent therapeutic effect to methotrexate but with better safety.
Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Male ; Methotrexate ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; Th17 Cells

The present study investigated the mechanism of artesunate in the treatment of bone destruction in experimental rheumatoid arthritis(RA) based on transcriptomics and network pharmacology. The transcriptome sequencing data of artesunate in the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation were analyzed to obtain differentially expressed genes(DEGs). GraphPad Prism 8 software was used to plot volcano maps and heat maps were plotted through the website of bioinformatics. GeneCards and OMIM were used to collect information on key targets of bone destruction in RA. The DEGs of artesunate in inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and key target genes of bone destruction in RA were intersected by the Venny 2.1.0 platform, and the intersection target genes were analyzed by Gene Ontology(GO)/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment. Finally, the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB(RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation model and collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) model were established. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction(q-PCR), immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were used to verify the pharmacological effect and molecular mechanism of artesunate in the treatment of bone destruction in RA. In this study, the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation model in vitro was established and intervened with artesunate, and transcriptome sequencing data were analyzed to obtain 744 DEGs of artesunate in inhibiting osteoclast differentiation. A total of 1 291 major target genes of bone destruction in RA were obtained from GeneCards and OMIM. The target genes of artesunate in inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and the target genes of bone destruction in RA were intersected to obtain 61 target genes of artesunate against bone destruction in RA. The intersected target genes were analyzed by GO/KEGG enrichment. According to the results previously reported, the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction signaling pathway was selected for experimental verification. Artesunate intervention in the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation model showed that artesunate inhibited CC chemokine receptor 3(CCR3), CC chemokine receptor 1(CCR1) and leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF) mRNA expression in osteoclasts in a dose-dependent manner compared with the RANKL-induced group. Meanwhile, the results of immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry showed that artesunate could dose-dependently reduce the expression of CCR3 in osteoclasts and joint tissues of the CIA rat model in vitro. This study indicated that artesunate regulated the CCR3 in the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction signaling pathway in the treatment of bone destruction in RA and provided a new target gene for the treatment of bone destruction in RA.
Rats ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Artesunate/therapeutic use* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics* ; Transcriptome ; Network Pharmacology ; Osteoclasts ; Receptors, Cytokine/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of gene silencing peptidyl arginine deaminase 4 (PAD4) on pulmonary interstitial lesions induced by collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice, and possible mechanisms. METHODS: A CIA mouse model was established in DBA/1 mice, followed by a tail vein injection of the virus solution prepared by the PAD4-siRNA expression vector once a week for 8 times. The mice were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. The expression of PAD4 mRNA in lungs was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The expression of PAD4 protein was detected by tissue immunohistochemistry. Cell culture was performed by spleen tissue. Flow cytometry changes in the ratio of Tfh cells to Tfr cells were examined; lung staining was performed in the lungs to observe changes in lung pathology. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the blank group, the expression of PAD4 mRNA in the lung tissue of the model group increased, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). PAD4 mRNA in the lung tissue of the CIA mice after PAD4-siRNA treatment. The expression level was significantly lower than that of the model group and the negative control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). (2) Red fluorescence was less in the lung tissue of the blank group, while more red fluorescence was observed in the inflammatory cell infiltration area and trachea around the lung tissue of the model group and the negative control group, and the red fluorescence of the three groups after PAD4-siRNA treatment was significantly reduced; (3) Compared with the blank group, the proportion of Tfh cells in the model group increased, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05), the proportion of Tfh cells in spleen cells of the CIA mice after PAD4-siRNA treatment was significantly lower than that of the model group and the negative control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05); compared with the blank group, in the mouse spleen cells in the model group the proportion of Tfr cells was slightly decreased, but the difference was not statistically signifi-cant. The proportion of Tfr cells in the spleen cells of the mice increased after PAD4-siRNA treatment, but the difference was statistically significant only in the PAD4-siRNA2 group compared with the model group and the negative control group (P < 0.05); (4) The proportion of Tfh/Tfr in the spleen cells of the model group was increased, compared with the blank group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05); the ratio of Tfh/Tfr in the three groups after PAD4-siRNA treatment all decreased, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05); (5) Compared with the blank group, the alveolar wall of the lung tissue of the model group was thickened, the inflammatory cell infiltration was increased, and the lung tissue destruction and inflammatory infiltration of the CIA mice were decreased after PAD4-siRNA treatment. The degree of reduction was reduced. CONCLUSION Gene silencing of PAD4 can reduce the proportion of Tfh cells, increase the proportion of Tfr cells, reverse the proportion of Tfh/Tfr, and reduce the degree of interstitial lesions and inflammatory infiltration of lung tissue.
Animals ; Arginine ; Arthritis, Experimental/therapy* ; Gene Silencing ; Lung ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred DBA

OBJECTIVETo explore the best pulse waveform of electroacupuncture for treatment of adjuvant arthritis (AA).

METHODSForty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. The electroacupuncture groups of AA were treated with different pulse waveforms of electroacupuncture, respectively. Pain threshold, swelling degrees of joint, and contents of 5-HT, beta-EP and LEK in local tissues of inflammation were observed.

RESULTSAfter the treatment, pain thresholds of the electroacupuncture groups with different pulse waveforms were higher than that of the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the local swelling degrees of inflammation in the electroacupuncture group were higher than that in the normal group (P < 0. 01), but was lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0. 01); the contents of 5-HT in local tissues of inflammation in the electroacupuncture groups were lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); in comparison with the model group, the electroacupuncture of sound-electric wave increased the contents of beta-EP and LEK (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and the electroacupuncture of intermittent wave increased the content of beta-EP in local tissues of inflammation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSound-electric wave is the best pulse waveform of electroacupuncture for treatment of adjuvant arthritis.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Analgesics ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

To research the effects of electroacupuncture on different quantitative parameters on analgesia in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Rats of adjuvant-induced arthritis were treated by electroacupuncture with different waveforms. Pain threshold and swelling degree of joint were observed. Electroacupuncture parameters being selected were measured by frequency spectrum analysis. After treatment, the pain thresholds in the electroacupuncture groups with different waveforms were higher than that of the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the local swelling degree of inflammation of the electroacupuncture groups were higher than that of the model group (P < 0.01), but was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Frequency, current, voltage and pulse width of successive wave and intermittent wave were similar. Frequency,current, voltage and pulse width of sound electric wave changed continuously. The results were that all the electroacupuncture with different waveforms had the analgesic effect in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis and the therapeutic effect of the electroacupuncture of sound electric wave was the best. It is reasonable and important that electroacupuncture parameter should be quantified.
Acupuncture Analgesia ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Female ; Pain Threshold ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo probe into the law of acupuncture analgesic effect and specificities of acupoint action.

METHODSAdult male Kunming mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a model plus electroacupuncture (EA) group and a model plus sham EA group. Chronic inflammatory pain model was prepared by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into right posterior foot, and paw withdrawing latency (PWL) induced by radiation heat was used as pain threshold index, and changes of PWL in all the groups were investigated.

RESULTSAfter modeling, PWL significantly shortened on the inflammatory side (P < 0.05); EA at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Kunlun" (BL 60) could significantly reverse the shortened PWL (P < 0.05), and this effect was prolonged along with increase of EA times, but in the sham EA group PWL did not significantly change; EA at bilateral "Shousanli" (LI 10) and Neiguan" (PC 6) could not reverse the shortened PWL (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAnalgesic effect of EA is strengthened along with increase of EA times and shows specificity of acupoints to a certain extent.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; therapy ; Chronic Disease ; Electroacupuncture ; Freund's Adjuvant ; immunology ; Male ; Mice

The ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract of Eucommiae Cortex can effectively inhibit joint inflammation and bone destruction in rats with collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) and has a potential therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis. The triterpenoid(EU-Tid) and iridoid(EU-Idd) of Eucommiae Cortex are derivatives isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the ethanol extract of Eucommiae Cortex, and it is not clear whether they have inhibitory effects on joint inflammation and bone erosion in CIA rats. Therefore, based on the CIA model, the effects of EU-Tid, EU-Idd, and their combination(EU-TP) on arthritis in rats were observed, and the material basis of Eucommiae Cortex against arthritis was further clarified. The samples were collected two and four weeks after administration to observe the pathological changes in different stages of arthritis in CIA rats. For the rats in the model control group, with the prolongation of the disease course, the paw volume and arthritis score increased and histopathological lesions aggravated. Compared with the model control group, the drug administration groups showed reduced paw volumes and arthritis scores, and improved joint lesions and cartilage destruction. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-17(IL-17), and interleukin-23(IL-23) in the spleen were down-regulated in the drug administration groups. EU-TP and EU-Tid at concentrations of 160 and 320 μg·mL~(-1) could significantly inhibit the proliferation of human fibroblast-like synoviocytes-RA(HFLS-RA) and nitric oxide(NO) release in the supernatant of RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) at the concentration range of 10-80 μg·mL~(-1) in vitro. EU-Idd had no effect on the proliferation of HFLS-RA but could reduce the NO release at concentrations of 40 and 80 μg·mL~(-1). The results indicated that the terpenoids of Eucommiae Cortex had great potential in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Rats ; Humans ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Iridoids/pharmacology* ; Triterpenes/therapeutic use* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Ethanol ; Cytokines