Artocarpus tonkinensis Protects Mice Against Collagen-Induced Arthritis and Decreases Th17 Cell Function

Abstract

Artocarpus tonkinensis (Moraceae) is a tree that grows in north Vietnam whose leaf decoction is used as a traditional remedy by the Hmong ethnic group to treat arthritis and backache. Our study evaluated the decoction's efficacy and mechanism of action in DBA/1J mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Mice treated with the decoction (At) either from the first collagen immunization or after CIA development experienced significantly less joint edema and inflammatory infiltration, whereas CIA-induced cartilage damage could only be prevented by early At treatment. Autoimmune gene expression profiles showed that Th17 cell-associated chemokine CCL20 and cytokines IL-6, IL-17, and IL-22 were strongly downregulated by At. Reduced expression of IL-2, IL-17, IL-22, and FasL in lymph node cells from At-treated mice was further confirmed by real-time PCR. The decoction also inhibited polarization of Th17 cells from CD4 + splenic T cells according to levels of IL-17 and RORC, a Th17 cell-specific transcription factor. Chromatographic analysis identified At's major component as maesopsin-β-D-glucoside, which could inhibit in vitro differentiation of Th17 cells. The decoction significantly alleviated the signs and symptoms of CIA and inhibited the development and function of Th17 cells, highlighting its potent anti-inflammatory activity.

Artocarpus tonkinensis Extract Inhibits LPS-Triggered Inflammation Markers and Suppresses RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7

“…At water extract fingerprint included catechin, alphitonin-4-O-β-D-glucoside (TAT-6), maesopsin-4-O-β-D-glucoside (TAT-2) (Supplementary Figure S1), quercetin-3-β-D-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, quercetin, kaempferol. Concentrations of the most abundant compounds, TAT-6 and TAT-2, were 142.8 µg/ml and 122.5 µg/ ml, respectively (Adorisio et al, 2019). The very same batch of At (No.…”

“…Previous studies by Adorisio et al (Adorisio et al, 2019) demonstrated the immunoregulatory activity of A. tonkinensis water extract in CIA mouse model. A. tonkinensis decoction limited CIA progression when it was administered after arthritis development and prevented CIA if it was given before appearance of clinical signs.…”

“…AT-2015) was used in all the experiments of the present work. The TAT-2 compound was isolated as previously described (Adorisio et al, 2019).…”

“…ex Gagnep) is a tree belonging to the Moraceae family. Found in many tropical regions of Asia and Africa, it abundantly grows in northern Vietnam, where it is used as herbal medicine by the Hmong ethnic minority to treat arthritis and backache (Adorisio et al, 2016;Adorisio et al, 2019). Medicinal properties of leaf and root extracts from A. tonkinensis have long been known and they are recorded in the textbooks of traditional Vietnamese and Chinese medicine.…”

“…In particular, A. tonkinensis dried leaf decoction and its major active compounds auronol glycosides maesopsin 4-O-β-D-glucoside (TAT-2) and alphitonin-4-O-β-D-glucoside (TAT-6) were studied for their immunosuppressive activity in autoimmune diseases (Thuy et al, 2004;Thuy et al, 2017) and for antiproliferative effect in anti-cancer trials (Thuy et al, 2016). Vietnamese folk medicine practice to assume A. tonkinensis decoction against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms and several studies on experimental models of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) (Ngoc et al, 2005;Dang et al, 2009;Adorisio et al, 2019) support the awareness of A. tonkinensis efficacy to contrast chronic inflammation, and destruction of bone and joints characterizing RA pathological picture.…”