Potential Medicinal Value of Rhein for Diabetic Kidney Disease / 中国结合医学杂志

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the primary cause of mortality among diabetic patients. With the increasing prevalence of diabetes, it has become a major concern around the world. The therapeutic effect of clinical use of drugs is far from expected, and therapy choices to slow the progression of DKD remain restricted. Therefore, research on new drugs and treatments for DKD has been a hot topic in the medical field. It has been found that rhein has the potential to target the pathogenesis of DKD and has a wide range of pharmacological effects on DKD, such as anti-nephritis, decreasing blood glucose, controlling blood lipids and renal protection. In recent years, the medical value of rhein in the treatment of diabetes, DKD and renal disease has gradually attracted worldwide attention, especially its potential in the treatment of DKD. Currently, DKD can only be treated with medications from a single symptom and are accompanied by adverse effects, while rhein improves DKD with a multi-pathway and multi-target approach. Therefore, this paper reviews the therapeutic effects of rhein on DKD, and proposes solutions to the limitations of rhein itself, in order to provide valuable references for the clinical application of rhein in DKD and the development of new drugs.

Rubiadin exerts an acute and chronic anti-inflammatory effect in rodents / A Rubiadina exerce um efeito anti-inflamatório agudo e crônico em roedores

Rubiadin is identified as a bioactive anthraquinone that exists in some quinone rich plants. The current research was carried out to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory impact of Rubiadin in acute and chronic inflammation test models in rodents. The anti-inflammatory activity of Rubiadin was examined in cotton pellet-induced granuloma and carrageenan-induced edema as chronic and acute inflammation models in rats. TNF-α level and histopathological changes were assessed using sampled foot tissue of rat in the acute model. Also, the IL-1β level was assessed in the chronic model. One-way ANOVA (post hoc Tukey’s) analysis was used for comparing the groups. Rubiadin (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) induced a significant reduction in TNF α level and the paw edema compared to the control group in carrageenan test. Also, it was observed that the anti-inflammatory activity of Rubiadin (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) is comparable to mefenamic acid (30 mg/kg, i.p.) as the standard drug. Rubiadin was effective in granuloma induced by cotton pellet concerning the granuloma and transudate formation amount. Rubiadin's anti-inflammatory effects were associated with a significant IL-1β decrease in this model. The results suggest that Rubiadin as a natural compound can possess significant peripheral anti-inflammatory impacts.

A rubiadina é identificada como uma antraquinona bioativa que existe em algumas plantas ricas em quinonas. A presente pesquisa foi realizada para avaliar o potencial impacto anti-inflamatório da rubiadina em modelos de teste de inflamação aguda e crônica em roedores. A atividade anti-inflamatória da rubiadina foi examinada em granuloma induzido por pellet de algodão e edema induzido por carragenina como modelos de inflamação crônica e aguda em ratos. O nível de TNF-α e as alterações histopatológicas foram avaliados usando amostra de tecido do pé de rato no modelo agudo. Além disso, o nível de IL-1β foi avaliado no modelo crônico. A análise ANOVA de uma via (post hoc de Tukey) foi usada para comparar os grupos. A rubiadina (0,5 mg / kg, i.p.) induziu uma redução significativa no nível de TNF α e no edema da pata em comparação com o grupo de controle no teste de carragenina. Além disso, foi observado que a atividade anti-inflamatória da rubiadina (0,5 mg / kg, i.p.) é comparável ao ácido mefenâmico (30 mg/kg, i.p.) como o fármaco padrão. A rubiadina foi eficaz no granuloma induzido por pellet de algodão no que diz respeito à quantidade de granuloma e formação de transudato. Os efeitos anti-inflamatórios da rubiadina foram associados a uma redução significativa de IL-1β nesse modelo. Os resultados sugerem que a rubiadina como um composto natural pode ter impactos anti-inflamatórios periféricos significativos.

Changes of Body Weight and Inflammatory Markers after 12-Week Intervention Trial: Results of a Double-Blind, Placebo-Control Pilot Study

PURPOSE: Low grade inflammation is a well-known characteristic in obese subjects. We investigated body weight changes and inflammatory markers after 12-week intervention trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six obese subjects were enrolled and 19 (13 men and 6 women) completed the study. Sibutramine is an FDA-approved drug for body weight control; therefore, we chose this drug as the standard treatment medication in this study. Patients were randomly allocated to receive an anti-inflammatory agent (Diacerein treatment group; n = 12) or placebo (n = 7) for 12 weeks. Anthropometry, body proportion by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and metabolic parameters at the beginning and end of study were measured and compared. RESULTS: The treatment group had a tendency towards more reduction in anthropometry as compared to the placebo group, in body weight reduction (- 7.0 kg vs. - 4.6 kg), body mass index (- 2.51 kg/m2 vs. - 1.59 kg/m2), and waist circumference (- 7.3 cm vs. - 4.4 cm). These reductions were not statistically significant. Changes in levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and adiponectin in the treatment group were more favorable than in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: This small pilot study showed no statistical difference for changes in anthropometry, and inflammatory markers between the two groups. Therefore, we could not find any additional effects of Diacerein on weight loss and inflammatory variables in this study.

Diacerhein versus glucosamine in a rat model of osteoarthritis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the chondroprotective effect of diacerein and glucosamine regarding degenerative changes and articular stiffness in an experimental model of arthritis. METHODS: Twenty rats underwent medial meniscectomy on the right knee. Ten animals were given diacerhein, and 10 were given glucosamine, from day 1 to the third month postoperatively, when all of them were killed. Histological and functional analysis of the knees were performed (measurement of maximum extension). RESULTS: All operated knees showed more limited extension values and more degenerative changes as compared to nonoperated contralateral sides. A comparison of the two drugs showed that the degree of articular stiffness was significantly lower with diacerein, although degenerative changes were similar. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Prophylactic use of diacerein leads to lower degree of articular stiffness when compared to glucosamine; 2) The prophylactic chondroprotective effects of diacerein and glucosamine are histologically similar.

OBJETIVO: O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de comparar o efeito condroprotetor da diacereína em relação ao da glicosamina quanto às alterações degenerativas e à rigidez articular num modelo experimental de artrose. MÉTODOS: Vinte ratos foram submetidos à meniscectomia medial do joelho direito. Dez animais receberam diacereína, e dez glicosamina, todos do primeiro dia ao terceiro mês pós-operatório, quando foram sacrificados. Foram realizadas análise histológica e funcional (medida da extensão máxima) dos joelhos. RESULTADOS: Todos os joelhos operados apresentaram amplitude de extensão mais limitada e maiores alterações degenerativas, em relação ao lado contra-lateral não operado. Ao compararmos as duas drogas, a rigidez articular foi significantemente menor com a diacereína, e as alterações degenerativas foram semelhantes. CONCLUSÕES: 1- O uso profilático da diacereína leva à menor rigidez articular em relação a glicosamina. 2- O efeito condroprotetor profilático da diacereína é semelhante, histologicamente, ao da glicosamina.