Notoginseng Radix and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata Extract Combination (YH23537) Reduces Pain and Cartilage Degeneration in Rats with Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis.

Notoginseng Radix and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata have been widely used traditionally for treating inflammatory diseases. This research studies the therapeutic effects of YH23537, the extracts of Notoginseng Radix and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, on pain and cartilage degeneration in an experimental osteoarthritis (OA) model. Male Wistar rats were inoculated intra-articularly with 3 mg of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) in the right intra-articular. Four days later, the animals were administrated orally with YH23537 daily for 24 days. Tactile allodynia and weight bearing were measured. Macroscopic and microscopic observations for articular cartilage were performed at the end of the experiment. Protein expression in the joint was determined by immunohistochemistry. The effects of YH23537 on mRNA levels in chondrocytes stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1ß were analyzed using random polymerase chain reaction. OA induction was confirmed by significant decrease of paw withdrawal latency, paw withdrawal threshold, and weight bearing compared with the normal group at 3 days after MIA injection. The YH23537-treated groups displayed significant increases in pain thresholds and weight bearing throughout the observation period. The damage to articular cartilage was significantly lessened visually and histopathologically by YH23537 treatment. YH23537 suppressed the expression of metalloproteinase-3, nitrotyrosine, IL-1ß and IL-6 increased in OA joints. YH23537 upregulated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-3 in IL-1ß-stimulated human OA chondrocytes. The protein levels of the NF-κBp65 and HIF-2α in the joint tissues were reduced by YH23537. YH23537 exerted antinociceptive effects and cartilage protective effects in experimental OA rats by suppressing oxidative injury, inflammatory mediators, and inducing anabolic factors. We suggest that YH23537 may have efficacy for treating OA in humans.

YinYang1 deficiency ameliorates joint inflammation in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis by modulating Th17 cell activation.

Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor that functions in cooperation with various cofactors to regulate gene expression. In the immune system, YY1 enhances cytokine production and T helper (Th) 2 effector cell differentiation, resulting in the activation of inflammation. However, no studies have reported the role of YY1 in Th17 cell regulation, which is implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated the expression of YY1 in Th17 cells in vitro and revealed increased levels of YY1 mRNA and protein. To elucidate the function of YY1 pathogenesis in RA, we used a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model with YY1 deficiency. Deficiency of YY1 reduced the severity of arthritis and joint destruction. Moreover, Th17 cells were dramatically reduced in YY1-deficient mice. The cytokine interleukin (IL)-17 was decreased in YY1-deficient CD4+ T cells ex vivo and in vivo. Interestingly, the level of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-17, IL-6, and IL-1ß were markedly decreased in YY1-deficient mice with CIA. The cytokine-inducing function of YY1 was more specific to IL-17 than to interferon-γ. YY1 plays a role in Th17 cell differentiation and RA pathogenesis. Our findings suggest that future RA therapies should target the regulatory mechanism involved in Th17 cell differentiation, in which YY1 may cooperate with the STAT3 signaling pathway.

A Combination with Probiotic Complex, Zinc, and Coenzyme Q10 Attenuates Autoimmune Arthritis by Regulation of Th17/Treg Balance.

Probiotic complex, zinc, and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) are recognized dietary supplements with an anti-inflammatory role. Although these supplementations are individually known to benefit rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there is no evidence suggesting any synergic effect. The primary goal of this study is to determine whether probiotic complex, zinc, and CoQ10 attenuate the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The combination of probiotic complex, zinc, and CoQ10 reduced CIA severity by downregulating the levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a in serum. Joint inflammation, bone destruction, and cartilage damage were also improved by the complex. There was a decrease in the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-17, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the joint synovium. The balance between helper T 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells was shown to be controlled reciprocally by the complex. These findings suggest that the combination of probiotic complex, zinc, and CoQ10 can ameliorate the development of CIA by inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and is thus an important therapeutic candidate for RA treatment.