Humulus japonicus extract ameliorates collagen‑induced arthritis in mice through regulation of overall articular inflammation

Abstract

Humulus japonicus (HJ) is a widely used herbal medicine in Asia with anti-oxidative, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated the potential therapeutic effects of HJ in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (cIA) and a lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). The cIA mice were administered 300 mg/kg HJ orally starting 3 days prior to second immunization. The clinical and histopathological findings were assessed in the paw of CIA mice. The levels of autoantibodies and inflammatory markers were determined in the plasma and cell culture supernatant, respectively. The expression at mRNA and protein levels was analyzed by reverse transcription quantitative-PcR and western blot analysis, respectively. HJ significantly decreased the gross arthritic scores and paw swelling in cIA mice. Furthermore, synovial inflammation, cartilage destruction, and bone erosion were markedly reduced by HJ. It also decreased the expression of inflammatory enzymes in both the paw of mice and RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, the expression of genes related to all macrophages and pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage were significantly decreased, whereas the expression of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage marker was markedly increased in the paw of HJ-treated cIA mice. In addition, HJ suppressed the levels of plasma anti-type II collagen antibody following the decreased expression of T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cell-associated surface markers and cytokines in the paw. HJ also significantly inhibited the expression of IL-6 both in vitro and in vivo, followed by reduced STAT3 phosphorylation and expression in the paw of cIA mice. Finally, the expression of osteoclast-related genes was decreased in the paw of HJ-treated cIA mice. These findings suggest that HJ can play a role in suppressing the development of CIA by overall regulation of articular inflammation. This study should provide new insights into the use of HJ as a therapeutically effective natural product against RA.

N-benzyl-N-methyldecan-1-amine and its derivative mitigate 2,4- dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis and collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis

“… BMDA or DMMA-mediated reduction of severity is attributed to decrease of inflammatory cytokine transcripts and enhancement of anti-oxidation protein expression (A, B) Histopathological analysis on hind paw tissues of the animals orally treated with BMDA, DMMA, or corn oil as a control was performed with hematoxylin and eosin staining 21 days post-sensitization of collagen and IFA. Synovitis score was evaluated as described previously ( Kang et al, 2020 ). (C) cartilage, S: synovium, TB: trabecular bone.…”

“…Using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E, Merck), the sliced tissues were stained and observed by an optical microscopy equipped with the Leica Application Suite (Leica Microsystems, Glattbrugg, Switzerland). To grade inflammation and cartilage and bone destruction, histopathological alterations of the rear paws were scored by a 5-point grading system that was previously described ( Kang et al, 2020 ). Synovitis was analyzed on the basis of the criteria which were mentioned previously ( Kang et al, 2020 ).…”

“…To grade inflammation and cartilage and bone destruction, histopathological alterations of the rear paws were scored by a 5-point grading system that was previously described ( Kang et al, 2020 ). Synovitis was analyzed on the basis of the criteria which were mentioned previously ( Kang et al, 2020 ).…”

Hop Extract Anti-Inflammatory Effect on Human Chondrocytes Is Potentiated When Encapsulated in Rapeseed Lecithin Nanoliposomes

“…To date, only a few studies have reported attractive and encouraging results of hop extract treatments to reduce joint inflammation in strictly inflammatory models, such as collagen- or zymosan-induced arthritis in mice [ 34 , 49 ]. Data concerning OA, a joint disease with low-grade inflammation, are scarcer.…”

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Reactive Oxygen Species: A Review

“…HJ also significantly inhibited the expression of IL-6 both in vivo and in vitro. The mechanism underlying HJ effects was regulated by STAT3 phosphoylation [ 123 ].…”