Cynarin suppresses gouty arthritis induced by monosodium urate crystals

Abstract

The study is aimed to determine the effects of cynarin (Cyn) on mice with gouty arthritis (GA) induced by monosodium urate (MSU). We measured swelling in the hind paws of mice in vivo using Vernier calipers and ultrasound. The liver, kidney, and hind paws were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and M1 type macrophages were detected in the hind paws using anti-F4/80 and anti-iNOS antibodies. The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and in the hind paws was detected via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes and the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were analyzed via western blotting. Cyn was detected in vitro using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Cyn treatment reduced hind paw swelling and M1 macrophage infiltration, suppressed the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors, and inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vivo , in addition to inhibiting the phosphorylation of IKKa/β, p65, and c-Jun NH 2-terminal kinase (JNK). Furthermore, Cyn exerted anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling effects in mice with GA by regulating the NF-κB and JNK pathways and NLRP3 inflammasomes.

Pathogenesis of gout: Exploring more therapeutic target

“…Based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, literature search, and qRT‐PCR, it was found that inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes has anti‐inflammatory and anti‐swelling effects on gout attack mice. Moreover, it was found that targeting the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammatory vesicles could be a potential future direction of drug research in gout flare 6 . A case–control study with 1198 clinical samples showed that NLRP3 polymorphisms may be involved in regulating the immune‐inflammatory response to gout flare 7 …”

“…Moreover, it was found that targeting the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammatory vesicles could be a potential future direction of drug research in gout flare. 6 A case-control study with 1198 clinical samples showed that NLRP3 polymorphisms may be involved in regulating the immune-inflammatory response to gout flare. the peripheral blood of 50 patients with gout flare.…”

Exploring effect of herbal monomers in treating gouty arthritis based on nuclear factor-kappa B signaling: A review

“…[ 67 , 68 ] The researchers found that Cyn could alleviate joint swelling and M1 macrophage infiltration in GA mice. [ 69 ] After treatment with Cyn, the expression of inflammatory factors and NF-κB-related proteins in MSU-induced GA mice decreased. [ 69 ] In other words, Cyn can inhibit the inflammatory response induced by MSU through the NF-κB signaling pathway, improve inflammatory infiltration of the joint synovium, and protect the joints.…”

A mechanically tough and ultra-swellable microneedle for acute gout arthritis

“…To demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effect of the Col-HMNs in vivo, rats injected with monosodium urate (MSU) to induce acute gout arthritis were used as models, while saline was injected as the control. 40,41 After 24 h, the MSU-treated rats showed obvious ankle swelling compared with the salinetreated control (Fig. 6a).…”