Picrorhiza kurroa Inhibits Experimental Arthritis Through Inhibition of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines, Angiogenesis and MMPs

Abstract

The present study investigates the anti-arthritic activity of Picrorhiza kurroa (PK), on formaldehyde and adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rat. Administration of Picrorhiza kurroa rhizome extract (PKRE) significantly inhibited joint inflammation in both animal models. In AIA-induced arthritic rat, treatment with PKRE considerably decreased synovial expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNF-R1) and vascular endothelial growth factor as compared with control. The anti-arthritic activity was found to be well substantiated with significant suppression of oxidative and inflammatory markers as there was decreased malonaldehyde, Nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor alpha levels accompanied with increased glutathione and superoxide dismutase, catalase activities. Additionally, PKRE significantly inhibited the expression of degrading enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases-3 and matrix metalloproteinases-9 in AIA-induced arthritic rat. Histopathology of paw tissue displayed decreased inflammatory cell infiltration as compared with control. Taken together, these results demonstrated the anti-arthritic activity of PKRE against experimental arthritis, and the underlying mechanism behind this efficacy might be mediated by inhibition of inflammatory mediators and angiogenesis, improvement of the synovium redox status and decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinases.

Pomegranate supplementation attenuates inflammation, joint dysfunction via inhibition of NF‐κB signaling pathway in experimental models of rheumatoid arthritis

“…As mentioned earlier, inflammatory disorders such as RA is a persistent, debilitating disease of joints with unknown etiology. Quite lot of contemporary evidences have proposed that pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as TNF‐ α and IL‐1 play a central role in the pathogenesis of RA as they contribute to the self‐proliferation of synoviocytes and increase the production of tissue enzymes, results in cartilage destruction (Kumar et al, ). While numerous other studies suggest that the transcription factor, NF‐κB, is also a pivotal regulator of inflammation and joint degradation by upregulating expression of many pro‐inflammatory genes, such as, IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, chemokines, and MMPs (Clohisy, Roy, & Biondo, ; Jimi, Aoki, & Saito, ).…”

“…Numerous reports also signify that the free radical species, oxidative stress is formed in CFA‐injected rats. ROS are formed in body by cellular metabolic reaction, often plays a central role in invading microbial agents (Kumar et al, ). The extreme production of ROS in synovial membrane damage protein, lipids, nucleic acid, and collagen, which further act as signals for the inflammatory cells and worsen the disease condition (Hitchon & Gabalawy, ).…”

“…The sections were then mounted with DPX mountant and observed under optical microscope (Eclipse E200; Nikon, Tokyo, Japan). Analyses of inflammatory changes within the tissues were noted in treatment as well as in normal control groups (Kumar et al, ).…”

“…Thousands of patients with inflammatory disorders face the problem of gastrointestinal disturbances (ulcers, bleeding) due to extensive use of NSAIDs (Katikireddi, Whittle, & Hill, ) and due to the perilous nature of these disorders, compliance becomes a matter of concern with these expensive and fatal drugs. It is also seen that various patients with inflammatory diseases rely on integrative medicines and use them as alone therapy or with already available conventional treatment (Kumar, Gupta, Singh, & Arunraja, ). So, to ascertain novel compounds of natural origin with equipotent therapeutic effect and nominal side effects have been pursuing vigorously (Venkatesha, Berman, & Moudgil, ).…”

“…compliance becomes a matter of concern with these expensive and fatal drugs. It is also seen that various patients with inflammatory diseases rely on integrative medicines and use them as alone therapy or with already available conventional treatment (Kumar, Gupta, Singh, & Arunraja, 2016). So, to ascertain novel compounds of natural origin with equipotent therapeutic effect and nominal side effects have been pursuing vigorously (Venkatesha, Berman, & Moudgil, 2011).…”