Integrated phytochemistry and network pharmacology analysis to reveal effective substances and mechanisms of Bushen Quhan Zhiwang decoction in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bushen Quhan Zhiwang decoction (BQZD), a formula in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), effectively delays bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. However, its chemical constituents, absorbed components, and metabolites remain unrevealed, and its mechanism in treating bone destruction in RA needs further investigation. AIM OF THE STUDY: Our objective is to identify the chemical constituents, absorbed components, and metabolites of BQZD and explore the potential mechanisms of BQZD in treating bone destruction in RA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study systematically identified the chemical constituents, absorbed components, and metabolites of BQZD using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry combined with parallel reaction monitoring. The absorbed components and metabolites were subjected to network pharmacology analysis to predict the potential mechanisms of BQZD in treating bone destruction in RA. The in vivo anti-osteoclastogenic and underlying mechanism were further verified in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. RESULTS: A total of 182 compounds were identified in BQZD, 27 of which were absorbed into plasma and organs and 42 metabolites were identified in plasma and organs. The KEGG analysis revealed that MAPK signaling pathway was highly prioritized. BQZD treatment attenuated paw swelling and the arthritis index; suppressed synovial hyperplasia, bone destruction, and osteoclast differentiation; and inhibited the levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in CIA rats. Mechanically, BQZD significantly decreased the protein expression levels of TRAF6, NFATc1, p-JNK, and p-p38, which might be related to 9 absorbed components and 1 metabolite. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the key active components and metabolites of BQZD. BQZD exhibits bone-protective effects via TRAF6/p38/JNK MAPK pathway, which may be associated with 9 absorbed components and 1 metabolite.

Meso-Hannokinol inhibits breast cancer bone metastasis via the ROS/JNK/ZEB1 axis.

Distal metastases from breast cancer, especially bone metastases, are extremely common in the late stages of the disease and are associated with a poor prognosis. EMT is a biomarker of the early process of bone metastasis, and MMP-9 and MMP-13 are important osteoclastic activators. Previously, we found that meso-Hannokinol (HA) could significantly inhibit EMT and MMP-9 and MMP-13 expressions in breast cancer cells. On this basis, we further explored the role of HA in breast cancer bone metastasis. In vivo, we established a breast cancer bone metastasis model by intracardially injecting breast cancer cells. Intraperitoneal injections of HA significantly reduced breast cancer cell metastasis to the leg bone in mice and osteolytic lesions caused by breast cancer. In vitro, HA inhibited the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells and suppressed the expressions of EMT, MMP-9, MMP-13, and other osteoclastic activators. HA inhibited EMT and MMP-9 by activating the ROS/JNK pathway as demonstrated by siJNK and SP600125 inhibition of JNK phosphorylation and NAC scavenging of ROS accumulation. Moreover, HA promoted bone formation and inhibited bone resorption in vitro. In conclusion, our findings suggest that HA may be an excellent candidate for treating breast cancer bone metastasis.

Avicularin suppresses cartilage extracellular matrix degradation and inflammation via TRAF6/MAPK activation.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is an intractable degenerative disease of the whole joint, which is characterized by synovitis inflammation, cartilage damage, and chronic pain. Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) performs an important role in OA. PURPOSE: We aim to investigate avicularin to protect cartilage extracellular matrix degradation (ECM) and suppresses inflammation both in rat and human chondrocytes. METHODS: 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, Quantitative real-time PCR, TRAF6 plasmid transfection, Western blot, Measurement of nitric oxide (NO), ROS detection and Immunofluorescence were utilized in vitro. micro-CT scanning, Safranin O-Fast Green, toluidine blue and immunohistochemistry staining were performed in vivo. RESULTS: In vitro, avicularin attenuates the degradation of ECM and inflammation, which could inhibit the activation of TRAF6/MAPK pathway via targeting TRAF6. Increased MMP3 and MMP13 expressions and decreased Aggrecan and Collagen Ⅱ levels were observed in anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) induced osteoarthritic rats. Interestingly, intra-articular injection of avicularin attenuates this phenomenon. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results indicate that avicularin suppresses cartilage extracellular matrix degradation and inflammation via TRAF6/MAPK activation by targeting TRAF6. These observations identify TRAF6 as a relevant drug target, and avicularin may as a potential therapeutic agent in osteoarthritis.