Icariin represses the inflammatory responses and survival of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes by regulating the TRIB1/TLR2/NF-kB pathway.

BACKGROUND: Effective treatment methods for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are still lacking. Previous studies have shown that icariin exerts a significant therapeutic effect on RA; however, the molecular mechanism requires further analysis. METHODS: qRT-PCR and western blot were performed to examine the gene or protein levels, respecctively. The proinflammatory cytokine levels were determined utilizing ELISA and western blot assays. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were quantified using CCK-8, EdU and flow cytometry assays, respectively. A RA mouse model was established to observe histopathological changes. RESULTS: Both icariin treatment and TRIB1 overexpression inhibited proliferation and inflammatory responses but promoted the apoptosis of TNF-α-treated RA-FLSs. Icariin treatment increased TRIB1 expression by promoting Nrf2 expression, thus blocking TLR2/NF-κB signalling. In addition, functional rescue experiments suggested that TRIB1 knockdown strikingly restrained the biological effects of icariin on TNF-α-treated RA-FLSs. Moreover, in vivo experimental results revealed that icariin restored inflammation and deterioration in RA mice by upregulating TRIB1. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, icariin repressed TNF-α-induced inflammatory responses and survival in RA-FLSs by regulating the TRIB1/TLR2/NF-kB pathway, implying that icariin may be a promising candidate drug for RA treatment.

Chemical constituents from the tubers of Scirpus yagara and their anti-inflammatory activities.

A new natural compound, dehydrophyllodulcin (1) was isolated from the tubers of Scirpus yagara, together with 11 known compounds. Among them, compounds 2, 5-8, and 10-12 were isolated from this plant for the first time. (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and 2D NMR data of compound 1 are first reported in this article, though it was synthesized in 1996. The structures of all compounds were determined by comprehensive analyses of their spectroscopic data and compared with literature information. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effects of compounds 1, 3, 4, 6, and 9 against inflammatory cytokines production in Lipopolysaccharide - or Pam3csk4-stimulated macrophage RAW264.7 cells were evaluated by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. And these compounds significantly inhibited the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 productions in RAW264.7 cells, with IC50 values less than 20 µM.