Jia-Wei-Si-Miao-Wan alleviates acute gouty arthritis by targeting NLRP3 inflammasome

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2019;33(1):63-71.

Abstract

Gout is a common metabolic disease and acute gouty arthritis (AGA) is one of the important complications. Jia-Wei-Si-Miao-Wan is a newly developed drug for treating acute gouty arthritis, but the molecular mechanism has not been completely clarified. Thus, this study was aimed to explore the regulation of Jia-Wei-Si-Miao-Wan on NLRP3 inflammasome and TLR/NF-κB signaling, which are two important signaling pathways in inflammation. AGA rat model was established by injecting monosodium urate into the right knee. Colchicine and Jia-Wei-Si-Miao-Wan were administrated by gavage. The circumference of the knee was measured. IL-1β and IL-18 level in the flushing fluid was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot, immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time RT-PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of TLR4, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, NF-κB and p-NF-κB. The results showed that IL-1β and IL-18 level in the flushing fluid was increased and TLR4, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, NF-κB and p-NF-κB expressions were up-regulated after the establishment of AGA rat model. Colchicine and Jia-Wei-Si-Miao-Wan administration could alleviate the inflammation in the knee by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and TLR/NF-κB signaling. In vivo data showed that the therapeutic effect of Jia-Wei-Si-Miao-Wan could be comparable with colchicine but had lower hepatic and renal toxicity. In conclusion, Targeting NLRP3 inflammasome and TLR/NF-κB signaling by Jia-Wei-Si-Miao-Wan could be effective in treating AGA.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthritis, Gouty / drug therapy*
  • Caspase 1 / metabolism
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Inflammasomes / drug effects*
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Inflammasomes
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • NF-kappa B
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Nlrp3 protein, rat
  • Tlr4 protein, rat
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Caspase 1