Yunnan Baiyao Ameliorates Rheumatoid Arthritis in Rats by Shifting the Th17/Treg Cell Balance and Preventing Osteoclast Differentiation

Abstract

Yunnan Baiyao (YNB) is a traditional Chinese medicine that possesses anti-inflammatory effects. Previously, we have demonstrated the effects of YNB in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) animal models; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of YNB on the T-helper (Th)17/T-regulatory (Treg) cell balance in a collagen-induced arthritis rat model orally administrated YNB or methotrexate, a widely used therapeutic agent for treating RA. Our results showed that YNB treatment significantly decreased the voix pedis thickness and joint functionality scores and alleviated joint histopathology in these rats. These YNB-induced effects were achieved by decreasing the number of Th17 cells and increasing that of Treg cells in the spleen. Moreover, the interleukin- (IL-) 17 level considerably decreased in the serum of YNB-treated rats, whereas the IL-10 level significantly increased. Furthermore, YNB could inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclast formation by regulating the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6/NF-κB/nuclear factor of the activated T-cell pathway. In summary, our study shows that YNB exhibits antiarthritic activity by decreasing the ratio of Th17/Treg cells, regulating the cytokine balance, and inhibiting osteoclast activation, providing an experimental basis that supports the use of this traditional Chinese medicine for the clinical treatment of RA.

Fractionated whole body γ-irradiation aggravates arthritic severity via boosting NLRP3 and RANKL expression in adjuvant-induced arthritis model: the mitigative potential of ebselen

“…Osteoclasts are largely responsible for joint bone deterioration in RA. Osteoclasts are participants of the monocyte/macrophage lineage and are the only cells involved in bone resorption by governing anabolic and catabolic processes of the osseous tissue (Ren et al 2022 ). During osteoclastogenesis, RANKL-induced RANK activation generates ROS, which further activates the RANKL-mediated signaling cascade (Kim et al 2017 ).…”

Research progress of targeted therapy regulating Th17/Treg balance in bone immune diseases

“…Some studies have also found that Yunnan Baiyao treatment significantly reduced the level of IL-17 in the serum of CIA rats, significantly increased the level of IL-10, reduced the number of Th17 cells, and increased the number of Treg cells in the spleen of CIA rats, thereby reducing the ratio of Th17/Treg cells. In addition, Baiyao decreased the expression of RANKL and OPG in the joint tissues of CIA rats and inhibited RANKL-induced OC production ( 191 ). This indicates that Yunnan Baiyao exhibits anti-RA activity by regulating the balance between Th17 and Treg cytokines and inhibiting OC activation.…”

“…Such multi-component treatments not only improves the curative effect and avoids serious side effects or drug resistance but also adjusts the Th17/Treg cell ratio and promotes the rebuilding of a new immune balance. Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of traditional Chinese compounds as supplementary or alternative therapies for RA and PMOP (188,189). as summarised in Table 4.…”

The role, targets and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in regulating the balance of T helper type 17/regulatory Tcells in rheumatoid arthritis

“…Yunnan Baiyao is a famous proprietary medicine in the department of traumatology in China, with anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, hemostatic, and phagocytic effects 72 . Ren et al 73,74 found that Yunnan Baiyao may additionally be used to decrease Th17 cells in the spleen of CIA rats, increase the variety of Treg cells, decrease the rate of Th17/Treg cells in the spleen of CIA rats, limit IL‐17 levels, and increase the levels of IL‐10 in the serum. Figure 3…”