Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of TRPV1 Polypeptide Modulator APHC3 in Models of Osteo- and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Mar Drugs. 2021 Jan 17;19(1):39. doi: 10.3390/md19010039.

Abstract

Arthritis is a widespread inflammatory disease associated with progressive articular surface degradation, ongoing pain, and hyperalgesia causing the development of functional limitations and disability. TRPV1 channel is one of the high-potential targets for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Polypeptide APHC3 from sea anemone Heteractis crispa is a mode-selective TRPV1 antagonist that causes mild hypothermia and shows significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in different models of pain. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory properties of APHC3 in models of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced rheumatoid monoarthritis in comparison with commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, and meloxicam. Subcutaneous administration of APHC3 (0.1 mg/kg) significantly reversed joint swelling, disability, grip strength impairment, and thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity. The effect of APHC3 was equal to or better than that of reference NSAIDs. Protracted treatment with APHC3 decreased IL-1b concentration in synovial fluid, reduced inflammatory changes in joints, and prevented the progression of cartilage degradation. Therefore, polypeptide APHC3 has the potential to be an analgesic and anti-inflammatory substance for the alleviation of arthritis symptoms.

Keywords: APHC3; Heteractis crispa; TRPV1; arthritis; cytokines; inflammation; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; polypeptide modulator; sea anemone.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / isolation & purification
  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Arthritis, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Experimental / physiopathology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / physiopathology
  • Cnidarian Venoms / isolation & purification
  • Cnidarian Venoms / pharmacology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Osteoarthritis / drug therapy
  • Osteoarthritis / physiopathology
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • TRPV Cation Channels / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Cnidarian Venoms
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • TRPV Cation Channels
  • Trpv1 protein, rat
  • analgesic polypeptide HC3, Heteractis crispa