Simiaosan alleviates the symptoms of gouty arthritis via the NALP3/IL‑1β pathway

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that the herbal medicine simiaosan has beneficial effects on gouty arthritis (GA), for which conventional Western medicines are insufficient (particularly in cases of multiple episodes). The objective of the present study was to investigate the mechanism by which simiaosan alleviated the symptoms of GA. Sprague-Dawley rat models of acute GA were successfully established, as verified by pathological analyses. Additionally, an NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) overexpression vector was constructed and a high transfection efficiency was confirmed by reverse transcription PCR. The following five treatment groups were established: i) Normal control; ii) model + saline; iii) model + simiaosan; iv) model + NALP3-overexpressing adenovirus + simiaosan; and v) model + empty vector adenovirus + simiaosan. The samples from mice in each group were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining for assessing the histopathological changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for determining IL-1β and TGF-β1 levels and western blotting for evaluating NALP3 expression. H&E staining indicated that simiaosan could reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells, while NALP3 overexpression aggravated the inflammatory response in tissues. Expression levels of IL-1β, TGF-β1 and NALP3 were significantly higher in the model and the model + NALP3-overexpressing adenovirus + simiaosan groups compared with the normal control group. Levels of IL-1β, TGF-β1 and NALP3 were significantly lower in the model + simiaosan and model + empty vector adenovirus + simiaosan groups compared with the model group. These results indicated that the effects of simiaosan were mediated through NALP3 inhibition. Therefore, the herbal medicine simiaosan was revealed to possess an ability to alleviate the symptoms of GA by regulating the NALP3/IL-1β signaling pathway.

Effects of Angelica Fritillaria Kushen Pill on Renal Function and Immune Function after Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy for Patients with Renal Carcinoma

“…e Zishui Tiaogan Decoction was different from the Zishui Qinggan Decoction in that it was mainly used to invigorate the kidney and was supplemented by Qinggan [23]. In addition to Si Miao San, Achyranthes bidentata and Poria cocos were added to make Simiao powder more effective in dehumidifying [24]. Adding Zhibai Dihuang Pills can nourish yin and invigorate the kidney and consolidate the clinical effect.…”

Lagotis brachystachya maxim attenuates chronic alcoholic liver injury combined with gouty arthritis in rats via its anti-inflammatory activity

“…The NLRP3 levels of patients with alcoholic liver injury and gouty arthritis were significantly increased, indicating that NLRP3 inflammasome was activated in alcoholic liver injury and gouty arthritis ( Wu et al, 2017 ; Chang et al, 2019 ). Similarly, the levels of IL-1β in plasma were positively correlated with the severity of alcoholic liver injury and gouty arthritis ( Ilyas et al, 2019 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ). At the same time, NLRP3 inflammasome further aggravates alcoholic liver injury and gouty arthritis by activating plenty of macrophages.…”

Identification of Interleukin-1-Beta Inhibitors in Gouty Arthritis Using an Integrated Approach Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Cell Experiments

“…IL-1 β also has been implicated in bone destruction and bone erosion in GA [ 15 ]. In view of this, some in-depth studies have revealed that the herbal medicine simiaosan can alleviate the symptoms of GA by regulating the NALP3/IL-1 β signaling pathway, and that curcumin can suppress the expression of Nod-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome to downregulate the level of IL-1 β via inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF- κ B) signaling pathway in monosodium urate (MSU)-induced GA [ 19 , 20 ]. Anyway, there is an urgent need and important clinical value to develop inhibitors targeting IL-1 β in GA with better efficacy and fewer side effects.…”