UP1306: A Composition Containing Standardized Extracts of Acacia catechu and Morus alba for Arthritis Management

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by progressive articular cartilage degradation. Although there have been significant advances in OA management, to date, there are no effective treatment options to modify progression of the disease. We believe these unmet needs could be bridged by nutrients from natural products. Collagen induced arthritis in rats was developed and utilized to evaluate anti-inflammatory and cartilage protection activity of orally administered botanical composition, UP1306 (50 mg/kg) and Methotrexate (75 µg/kg) daily for three weeks. Objective arthritis severity markers, urine, synovial lavage, and serum were collected. At necropsy, the hock joint from each rat was collected for histopathology analysis. Urinary cartilage degradation marker (CTX-II), pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6), and proteases (Matrix Metallopeptidase 3 (MMP3) and 13) were measured. Rats treated with UP1306 showed statistically significant improvements in arthritis severity markers, including uCTX-II (91.4% vs. collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)), serum IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels as well as synovial MMP-13. The histopathology data were also well aligned with the severity score of arthritis for both UP1306 and Methotrexate. UP1306, a botanical composition that contains a standardized blend of extracts from the heartwood of Acacia catechu and the root bark of Morus alba, could potentially be considered as a dietary supplement product for the management of arthritis.

Aqueous Extracts of Morus alba Root Bark and Cornus officinalis Fruit Protect against Osteoarthritis Symptoms in Testosterone-Deficient and Osteoarthritis-Induced Rats

“…Furthermore, moracin, a flavonoid from Mores alba root bark protects against IL-1β-induced osteoarthritis by reducing inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and COX2) via attenuating the NF-κB pathway [ 37 ]. Consistent with previous studies [ 35 , 36 , 37 ], the present study also demonstrated that MBW attenuated pain and proinflammatory activities in the articular cartilage along with preventing the reduction of serum testosterone concentrations in the testosterone-deficient rats with MIA-induced osteoarthritis. MBW inhibited the BMD loss only in the leg with osteoarthritis, and it was associated with the suppression of osteoarthritis progression.…”

“…It is also reported to facilitate weight loss by suppressing appetite and improving dyslipidemia [ 33 , 34 ]. Oral intake of a mixture of Acacia catechu water extract and Morus alba root bark ethanol extract (50 mg/kg BW) has anti-inflammatory (TNF-α and IL-1β), collagenase (MMP-13) inhibitory, and articular cartilage protective activities in MIA-induced arthritis [ 35 , 36 ]. Furthermore, moracin, a flavonoid from Mores alba root bark protects against IL-1β-induced osteoarthritis by reducing inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and COX2) via attenuating the NF-κB pathway [ 37 ].…”

TamaFlex™—A novel nutraceutical blend improves lameness and joint functions in working horses

“…Inflammation, pain, or mechanical injury may result in an abnormal gait characterized by limping and lameness (Ross & Dyson, 2011). The proinflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and TNF‐α also reduce anabolic processes in chondrocytes, thus decreasing the synthesis of extracellular matrix components (Yimam et al., 2019).…”