RESUMO
Melicope ptelefolia has been traditionally used to treat rheumatism and fever. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of 3,5diCßDglucopyranosyl phloroacetophenone (ßGP), a main component of M. ptelefolia, on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A model of collageninduced arthritis (CIA) was established in mice using the RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). The clinical scores of arthritis, swelling, histopathological findings, and microcomputed tomography in CIA mouse paws were assessed. The levels of antitype II collagen antibody and cytokines were determined in the plasma and cell culture supernatant, respectively. Protein and gene expression levels were analyzed by western blot and reverse transcriptionquantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses. ßGP significantly decreased the gross arthritic scores of CIA mice and joint swelling, and decreased articular inflammation, cartilage degradation and bone erosion. However, ßGP did not exert any effect on antitype II collagen immunoglobulin G plasma levels or inflammatory cytokine expression in macrophages. ßGP significantly suppressed the expression of interleukin6 and leukemia inhibitory factor and decreased the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and expression of receptor activator of nuclear factorκB ligand in tumor necrosis factorαstimulated MEFs and in CIA mouse paws. Osteoclastrelated gene expression was significantly reduced in CIA mouse paws. Taken together, ßGP suppressed the development of RA by regulating the activation of synovial fibroblasts.