MicroRNAs Involved in the Therapeutic Functions of Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) Fruit Juice in the Treatment of Acute Gouty Arthritis in Mice Induced with Monosodium Urate

Abstract

We investigated the functions of microRNAs in the therapeutic effects of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) fruit juice on mouse models of acute gouty arthritis induced with monosodium urate (MSU). Compared with the model group (treated with MSU), mice in both the positive control group (treated with both MSU and colchicine) and noni fruit juice group (treated with MSU and noni fruit juice) showed a significantly decreased degree of paw swelling in 5 days, as well as the contents of two types of proinflammatory cytokines (i.e., NALP3 and TNF-α). Based on the next-generation sequencing technology, a total of 3896 microRNAs (234 known and 3662 novel) were identified in mice treated with noni fruit juice. A large amount of differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in the noni fruit juice group, suggesting the significant effects of noni fruit juice on the mice with acute gouty arthritis, while the different patterns of change in the numbers of both upregulated and downregulated miRNAs in both noni fruit juice and positive control groups indicated that the mice of acute gouty arthritis may be regulated by differential mechanisms between the treatments of noni fruit juice and colchicine. The target genes of microRNAs involved in the pathogenesis and pathology of acute gouty arthritis in mice were identified and further annotated by both Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Our results revealed the therapeutic effects of noni fruit juice on acute gouty arthritis in mice with a group of microRNAs involved in the pharmacological mechanisms of noni fruit juice, providing scientific evidence to support both the agricultural cultivation and pharmacological significance of noni plants.

Role of microRNA alternation in the pathogenesis of gouty arthritis

“…In addition, like Tripterine (77), Total glucosides of paeony (78) and Epigallocatechin (57) were also reported to regulate the expression of miR-449a, miR-876, and miR-9, respectively, to alleviate the progression of GA. Similarly, Li, X et al reported that Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) fruit Juice also modulates miRNA and pro-inflammatory factors to treat MSU-induced AGA in mice (108).…”

“…Similarly, Li, X et al. reported that Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) fruit Juice also modulates miRNA and pro-inflammatory factors to treat MSU-induced AGA in mice ( 108 ).…”

Research progress on microRNA in gout

“…Moreover, Li’s group found that miRNAs are also involved in the therapeutic effect of noni juice on AGA. They identified multiple miRNAs expressed abnormally in the colchicine and noni juice groups by modern sequencing techniques and hypothesized that these miRNAs are involved in the regulation of the pathogenesis of AGA in mice ( Li et al, 2021b ).…”

Long COVID and the Neuroendocrinology of Microbial Translocation Outside the GI Tract: Some Treatment Strategies

“…TLR4 is a sensor for HMGB1 and LPS, molecules implicated in chronic fatigue, pain, and depression [267]. In addition, TLR4 alters efferocytosis and exacerbates Mycoplasma infections, suggesting that biological barriers could be enhanced by inhibiting this protein [268,269] (Table 1).…”