Anti-angiogenic effect of total saponins of Rhizoma Dioscorea nipponica on collagen induced-arthritis in rats

Abstract

Abstract. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic autoimmune and incurable disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of the total saponins of Rhizoma Dioscorea nipponica (TSRDN) in RA. A collagen induced-arthritis (CIA) rat model was established. CIA rats were randomly divided into three groups and lavaged with an equal volume of solvent (CIA group), TSRDN (25 mg/kg/day, RDN group) and tripterygium (TP; 12 mg/kg/day, TP group) for 21 days, respectively. Normal rats served as a control group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological injury of synovial tissues. The level of CD31, which used for marking and counting, micro vessel density (MVD) and the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were detected by immunohistochemical analysis. Additionally, the DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was determined using an ELISA kit. HE staining showed obvious synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, pannus formation, cartilage and bone erosion in the CIA group rats. In addition, compared with control group, the level of MVD, the expression of VEGF and STAT3, and the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB were all increased in CIA group rat synovial tissue (all P<0.01); however, TSRDN or tripterygium were able to inhibit these changes (all P<0.01). It was speculated that TSRDN may prevent angiogenesis by inhibiting the expression of STAT3 and the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB p65, thereby potentially improving CIA.

Suspension Cell Culture of Dioscorea deltoidea—A Renewable Source of Biomass and Furostanol Glycosides for Food and Pharmaceutical Industry

“…SG from Dioscorea spp. were also shown to be efficient in cardiology to treat acute myocardial infarction and enhance heart regeneration processes [8][9][10][11][12]. In Agronomy 2021, 11, 394 2 of 15 addition, SG affect human and animal reproductive systems [13].…”

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents for the Extraction of Bioactive Steroidal Saponins from Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma

“…Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma (DNR), the dried rhizome of Dioscorea nipponica Makino, is widely distributed in China, South Korea, and Russia, and has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for relieving cough and asthma, eliminating rheumatic aches, alleviating pain, and improving blood circulation [1]. Modern pharmacological studies have discovered that DNR possesses anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-diuretic, analgesic, anti-tussive, immunoregulatory, and cardiovascular properties [2][3][4][5][6]. Phytochemical studies disclosed that steroidal saponins, such as protodioscin, protogracillin, pseudoprotodioscin, and pseudoprotogracillin are the major bioactive constituents in DNR, which are mainly responsible for most of the pharmacological effects of this herbal medicine [7,8].…”

Flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins: are these plant-derived compounds an alternative to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis? A literature review

“…In an experimental model of collagen-induced RA in rats, the total saponins from Rhizoma dioscoreae Nipponicae increase the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin, and endothelial tyrosine kinase receptor. These results showed that the saponins inhibits angiogenesis in RA, leading to a better prognosis [55,67]. Total saponins from Psammosilene tunicoids also demonstrated activity in combating RA inflammation through downregulation of IL-1β and TNF-α.…”