Assessing the therapeutic impact of Qianjinba polysaccharide in a rheumatoid arthritis murine model

doi:10.5246/jcps.2024.08.052

Abstract

Abstract:

Qianjinba is primarily cultivated in the southern regions of China and finds extensive use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for conditions such as rheumatism, arthralgia, and gynecological ailments. It has been officially recognized as a protected variety of TCM by the state. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of Qianjinba polysaccharide (QJBDT) in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in mice, along with a preliminary exploration of its mechanisms for inhibiting RA in these animals. Kunming mice (KM) were randomly divided into several groups, including a normal group, a model group (LPS group), low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose QJBDT groups, as well as a positive control group (TGP group), each consisting of 10 mice. To induce inflammation and create an RA model, type II collagen was injected into the right hind foot joint. Following a 7-day modeling period, various concentrations of QJBDT and the positive control drug total glycoside of peony were administered via gavage once a day for 21 consecutive days. Throughout the study, we monitored and recorded the mice's weight, measured foot swelling, and assessed the arthritis index on a weekly basis. We also conducted pathological examinations of joint tissues and analyzed the signal pathway of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) as well as the protein expression of nuclear factor NF-κB in the mice’s right foot joint tissues. Additionally, we employed ELISA to detect the levels of interleukin-β (IL-β), IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the mice’s serum. The results of this study revealed that QJBDT effectively reduced the degree of foot swelling and the arthritis index in collagen-induced arthritis mice while improving their weight loss (P < 0.05). Furthermore, it alleviated the pathological damage observed in the mice’s joints. Notably, the expression of transcription factors p38 and NF-κB proteins was down-regulated (P < 0.05), and the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-β, IL-17, and TNF-α in the mice’s serum were decreased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that polysaccharides could inhibit the expression of transcription factors p38 and NF-κB, reduce the production of inflammatory factors, and alleviate the progression of RA to a certain extent.

Key words: Qianjinba polysaccharide, Rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammatory factors, p38 Mitogen activated protein kinase signaling pathway, NF-κB

Supporting:

Nan Zhang, Zhimin Liu, Xuanmei Yang, Shuang Li, Yiwen Gao, Haiguang Qin. Assessing the therapeutic impact of Qianjinba polysaccharide in a rheumatoid arthritis murine model[J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2024, 33(8): 705-713.

Figures/Tables 7

Table 1. Effect of different body weights of mice (x ± s, n = 10).

Table 2. Effect of QJBDT on paw edema in mice (x ± s, n = 10).

Table 3. Effect of QJBDT on AI score in mice (x ± s, n = 10).

Table 4. Comparison of the gray value of p38 and NF-κB proteins (x ± s, n = 10).

Table 5. Effect of different concentrations on IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α expression (x ± s, n = 10).

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