Effect of Asiaticoside on Expression of Th17/Treg Cells in DBA/1 Mice with Collagen-Induced Arthritis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of asiaticoside （AC） on the expression of T helper 17 （Th17） cells and regulatory T （Treg） cells in DBA/1 mice with collagen-induced arthritis （CIA）. MethodMale SPF DBA/1 mice were randomized into six groups according to body weight： control group， CIA group， methotrexate group （MTX group， ip， 0.5 mg·kg-1）， and AC low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （ig， 5， 15， 45 mg·kg-1， respectively）. Modeling was performed in rats other than the control group. To be specific， they were immunized with bovine type Ⅱ collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant on the first day and with bovine type Ⅱ collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant on the 21st day. Administration began on the day of the second immunization， once a day for 28 days. On the 49th day， related tissues were collected. Then， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of the joints. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of interleukin-17 （IL-17） and forkhead box protein-3 （FoxP3）， the markers of Th17 and Treg cells， respectively， immunofluorescence double staining the expression of IL-17 and FoxP3 in CD4+T cells of mouse joint tissue， and flow cytometry the proportions of Th17 and Treg cells in mouse lymph nodes. ResultCompared with the control group， CIA group demonstrated joint disorder， damage of articular cartilage and bone， severe bone erosion （P<0.01）， increase in stained CD4 and IL-17 and the integral absorbance （IA） （P<0.01）， decrease in stained FoxP3 and the IA （P<0.01）， rise of Th17/Treg ratio （P<0.01）， elevation of Th17 expression in mouse lymph nodes （P<0.01）， and reduction in Treg expression （P<0.01）. Compared with CIA group， MTX group and three AC groups showed normal joints， alleviated bone erosion and damage， intact and smooth joint surface， and decrease in stained IL-17 and IA （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and MTX group and AC medium-dose and high-dose groups registered decrease in stained CD4 and IA （P<0.01） and reduction in Th17/Treg ratio （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， AC medium-dose and high-dose groups showed rise in stained FoxP3 and IA （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the lymph nodes of mice， decrease in expression of Th17 cells （P<0.05， P<0.01） and the increase in expression of Treg cells （P<0.05， P<0.01） were observed in all the three AC group. ConclusionAC can regulate Th17/Treg balance by inhibiting the expression of Th17 cells and promoting the expression of Treg cells in CIA mice.

Effect of Fangji Huangqitang on Function of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the effects of Fangji Huangqitang（FJHQT） on migration， adhesion，invasion and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） induced by vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）. Method:HUVECs were induced by VEGF （20 μg·L^-1） <italic>in vitro</italic>. The effects of FJHQT （0.25，0.5，1 g·L^-1） on HUVECs were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium（MTT）， scratch repair， transwell migration， adhesion， invasion and tube formation. Protein in HUVECs was extracted and protein expression levels of phosphorylated Janus kinase 1 （p-JAK1） were detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with control group， VEGF （20 μg·L^-1） can increase the proliferation， scratch repair， transwell migration， adhesion， invasion and tube formation of HUVECs cells （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， compared with VEGF group， FJHQT （0.25，0.5，1 g·L^-1） ，there is no significant effect on the proliferation of HUVECs induced by VEGF for 24 hours， but it can significantly reduce the scratch repair， migration， adhesion， invasion and tube formation of HUVECs induced by VEGF within 24 hours （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with blank group， VEGF could induce abnormal elevation of p-JAK1 in HUVECs （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while FJHQT （0.25，0.5，1 g·L^-1） could significantly reduce the expression levels of p-JAK1 （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:FJHQT can inhibit the migration， adhesion and invasion of HUVECs， the mechanism may be related to JAK1.

Effect of Fangji Huangqitang on DBA/1 Mice Collagen Induced Arthritis and Synovial Angiogenesis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of Fangji Huangqitang （FJHQT） on collagen induced arthritis （CIA） and synovial angiogenesis in DBA/1 mice. Method:DBA/1 mice were randomly divided into normal group， CIA group and FJHQT group. DBA/1 mice in CIA group and FJHQT group were immunized with bovine type Ⅱ collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant on the first day， and DBA/1 mice were immunized with bovine type Ⅱ collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant on the 21^st day to establish CIA model. On the day of the second immunization， the drug was given by gavage once a day for 28 days. On the 22^nd day， the arthritis score and other symptoms of CIA mice were observed. On the 49^th day， Hematoxylin eosin （HE） staining was carried out to observe the angiogenesis in the synovium of CIA mice， the expression of vascular endothelial cell marker platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 （CD31） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in the synovium of CIA mice were detected. Immunofluorescence double staining was used to detect the mature and immature vessels in the synovium of CIA mice. And the microvascular growth of the rat thoracic aortic ring was induced by VEGF （20 μg·L^-1）. The effects of FJHQT （0.25， 0.5， 1 g·L^-1） at different concentrations were observed under microscope. Result:Compared with the normal group， the inflammation， joints， red and swelling of the inflammatory joints of the CIA group were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The scores of clinical arthritis， the incidence rate， synovial inflammation and angiogenesis were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The density of blood vessels， the positive expression of CD31 and VEGF， the number of immature vessels in synovial membrane were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. And compared with the CIA group， the inflammation， joint swelling， and malformation of the FJHQT group were significantly improved， the clinical arthritis score， incidence rate， synovial inflammation and angiogenesis were significantly reduced （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The vascular density， the positive expression of CD31 and VEGF， and the number of immature blood vessels in synovial membrane were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with blank group， VEGF could significantly induce the growth of microvasculature in rat thoracic aortic ring （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with VEGF group， FJHQT（0.25， 0.5， 1 g·L^-1） could significantly inhibit the formation of microvasculature in rat thoracic aortic ring （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:FJHQT can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms and condition of CIA mice， reduce the clinical arthritis score and incidence rate，and inhibit the synovial angiogenesis of CIA mice joints and VEGF induced microvascular formation in rat thoracic aortic rings.

Effect of Ermiaosan on M1/M2 Polarization of Bone Marrow Derived-macrophages / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of Ermiaosan（EMS） on the polarization of M1 by lipopolysaccharide（LPS）+interferon(IFN)-γ and M2 induced by interleukin(IL)-4+IL-13 in rat bone marrow-derived macrophages. Method:Macrophages from rat bone marrow were extracted in vitro, stimulated by macrophage colony stimulating factor(M-CSF), induced to macrophages (marked by F4/80), stimulated by LPS+IFN-γ and induced to polarize to M1，while stimulated by IL-4+IL-13 and induced to polarize to M2. After adding different concentrations of EMS (0.2，0.4，0.8 g·L-1), the phenotypes of M1 and M2 were detected by immunofluorescence, and the effect of EMS on M1(marked by CD68 and iNOS)/M2(marked by CD206 and Arginase) polarization of macrophages from rat bone marrow was detected. Result:Compared with control group, LPS + IFN-γ could increase the polarization of M1 (P<0.01)，while IL-4+IL-13 could increase the polarization of M2 (P<0.01); compared with LPS+IFN-γ/IL-4+IL-13 group, EMS (0.2，0.4，0.8 g·L-1) could inhibit the polarization of M1 induced by LPS+IFN -γ for 24 hours (P<0.05), but had no significant effect on polarization of M2 induced by IL-4+IL-13. Conclusion:EMS can inhibit M1 polarization induced by LPS+IFN - γ, but has no effect on M2 polarization induced by IL-4+IL-13.

Effect of Ermiaosan on Function of Human Fibroblast Synovial Cells Induced by TNF-α / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To study the effects of Ermiaosan on migration, adhesion and invasion of human fibroblast-liked synovial cells(FLS) and explore its mechanism. Method::Using the human FLS as the research object, the nontoxic concentration of FLS.FLS was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay for the follow-up experiment. The transwell migration, adhesion and transwell invasion test were used to detect the migration and adhesion of the different concentration of Ermiaosan on FLS, respectively. The expression of interleukin (IL)-1 beta of FLS supernatant was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein in FLS was extracted and protein expression levels of phosphorylated Janus kinase 1 (p-JAK1), p-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT1) and p-STAT6 were detected by Western blot. Result::Compared with control group, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α (20 μg·L-1) increased the proliferation, migration, adhesion, invasion and the secretion of IL-1β of FLS (P<0.01). Ermiaosan(0.2, 0.4, 0.8 mg·L-1) had no significant effect on the proliferation of FLS induced by TNF-α for 24 h. Within 24 h, the migration, adhesion, invasion, invasion, and secretion of IL-1β of FLS cells induced by TNF-α were also decreased significantly(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, TNF-α could induce abnormal elevation of p-JAK1, p-STAT1 and p-STAT6 in FLS (P<0.01), while Ermiaosan of 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 g·L-1 could significantly reduce the expression levels of p-JAK1, p-STAT1 and p-STAT6 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion::Ermiaosan can inhibit the migration, adhesion and invasion of FLS, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the secretion of IL-1β, the mechanism may be related to JAK/STAT pathway.

Effect of Fengshi Qutong Capsule on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Induced by VEGF / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To study the effect of Fengshi Qutong capsule on the migration, adhesion, invasion and tube formation of human synovial cells and the phosphorylation and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Method: With human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as the research object, low, middle and high-dose Fengshi Qutong capsule(0.02,0.1,0.5 μg·L-1) on HUVEC was determined by methye thiazolye telrazlium (MTT) colorimetric assay for the follow-up experiment. The transwell migration, adhesion and transwell invasion test were used to detect the migration and adhesion of the different concentrations of Fengshi Qutong capsule in HUVEC. The expression of VEGFR2 in HUVEC was detected by Western blot, and Real-time PCR was used to detect the content of VEGFR2 mRNA in cells. Result: Compared with normal group, the proliferation of HUVEC was significantly increased after 24 h and 48 h of VEGF induction (PPP-1 Fengshi Qutong capsule were administered in vitro for 48 h to inhibit HUVEC proliferation activity in a dose-dependent manner (PPPPConclusion: Fengshi Qutong capsule can inhibit the migration, adhesion, invasion and tube formation of HUVEC. This effect may be related to the inhibition of phosphorylation, and protein and mRNA expression level of VEGFR2.

Effect of Fengshi Qutong Capsule on Synovial Akt and MAPK Signaling Pathways in Rheumatoid Arthritis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of Fengshi Qutong capsule (FSQTC) on protein kinase B(Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Method:Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was induced in SD rats, and the synovial membranes of the knee joints were prepared after 19 days of oral administration of 0.25, 0.5, 1 g·kg-1 FSQTC. MH7A cells were induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, 20 μg·L-1) in vitro, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). FSQTC (0.02, 0.1, 0.5 μg·L-1) were added to MH7A/HUVEC cells, and then the cells were collected. Proteins of synovial tissue, MH7A and HUVEC cells were extracted, and then were detected the expresstion of p-Akt, p-p38 MAPK, p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) and p-Jun n-terminal kinase(JNK) by Western blot. Result:The expression levels of p-Akt, p-p38 MAPK, p-ERK and p-JNK in the synovial membrane of CIA model were significantly increased compared with normal group (P-1·d-1 FSQTC significantly decreased their expression levels (PPα or VEGF were increased (P-1 FSQTC (PPConclusion:FSQTC can down-regulate the abnormal activation of Akt and MAPK signaling pathways in the synovial membrane of CIA rats, fibroblast synovial cells and vascular endothelial cells, which is related to the inhibition of synovial angiogenesis in the treatment of RA.

Effect of Fengshi Qutong Capsule on Function of Human Synovial Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis Induced by TNF-α / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To study the effects of Fengshi Qutong capsule (FSQTC) on proliferation, migration, adhesion, invasion and secretion of human synovial cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and explore its mechanism. Method: Human synovial cells (MH7A) in RA patients were induced in vitro by using TNF-α (20 μg·L-1). After treatment with different concentrations of FSQTC (0.02,0.1,0.5 μg·L-1), MTT colorimetric assay, transwell migration, adhesion and invasion tests were used to detect the proliferation, migration, adhesion and invasion of the MH7A, respectively. The expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in MH7A supernatant were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result: As compared with blank control group, TNF-α (20 μg·L-1) significantly increased the proliferation, migration, adhesion, invasion and secretion of IL-1β and VEGF of MH7A cells (P-1) had no significant effect on proliferation of TNF-α-induced MH7A cells after treatment for 24 hours. After 48 hours of treatment, proliferation of MH7A cells induced by TNF-α was decreased in a concentration-dependent manner (PPPPConclusion: FSQTC can inhibit the proliferation, migration, adhesion, invasion and secretion of IL-1β and VEGF in MH7A cells.

Effect of Fengshi Qutong Capsules on synovial angiogenesis in rats with type Ⅱ collagen induced arthritis / 中国中药杂志

To observe the effect of Fengshi Qutong Capsules(FSQTC) on angiogenesis of rat aortarings and in knee joint synovium of type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) rats. The blood vessel of aorta rings of normal SD rats were induced by vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) 20 μg·L~(-1 )in vitro, and were treated with FSQTC(0.02, 0.1 and 0.5 μg·L~(-1)) continuously for 9 days. The number, length and area of neovascularization of the vascular ring were measured. SD rats were immunized to establish collagen-induced arthritis. CIA rats were treated with FSQTC(0.25, 0.5, 1 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) and methotrexate(0.2 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) daily for 19 days. Histopathological examination(HE) was performed to observe the vascular morphology and vascular density in the synovial membrane of the inflamed joint. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the expression of platelets-endothelial cell adhesion molecule(CD31), VEGF and VEGF receptor 2(VEGFR_2)in the synovium. Immunofluorescence was performed to observe the expression of CD31 and α smooth muscle actin(αSMA) in synovial membrane.TGF-β, PDGF and VEGFR_2 in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The number, branch length and area of blood vessels of aorta rings were significantly increased induced by VEGF, and FSQTC could significantly reduce the number, branch length and area of blood vessels. Compared with the normal group, the vascular density, CD31 positive expression, CD31~+/αSMA~- immature and total vascular positive expression in the synovial membrane of the model group were significantly increased, and so as VEGF and VEGFR_2 in the synovium. The VEGFR_2, TGF-β and PDGF in sera were also significantly increased in model group. FSQTC reduced the synovial vascular density and inhibited the positive expression of CD31, CD31~+/αSMA~- immature blood vessels and total vascular. FSQTC has no significant effect on CD31~+/αSMA~+mature blood vessels. FSQTC also negatively inhibited the expression of VEGF, VEGFR_2, TGF-β and PDGF in synovial membrane and/or sera. The effect of methotrexate is similar with to the high dose group. Our results demonstrated that FSQTC could inhibit the angiogenesis of synovial tissue in CIA rats and of aortaring in rats, which is related to the reduction of angiogenesis regulatory factor.

Effect of Fengshi Qutong Capsule on Collagen-induced Arthritis of Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the intervention effect of Fengshi Qutong capsule on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. Method:SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, low, medium and high-dose Fengshi Qutong capsule groups (0.25, 0.5, 1 g·kg-1·d-1), and methotrexate group(0.2 mg·kg-1·d-1).Except for normal group, the other groups were immunized with type Ⅱ collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant to establish a CIA model. On the 1st day after the first immunization, the administration group was given intragastric administration, once a day, for 19 days; on the 8th day after the first immunization, the symptoms of joint swelling and malformation of the rats were observed, and the clinical scores and incidence of arthritis were evaluated. On the 19th day, micro-computed tomography and bone metrology were performed, and histopathological examination of inflammatory joints was performed,andsynovial inflammation,vasospasm, cartilage erosion and bone destruction by pathological severity scores, serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand(RANKL)were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Result:Fengshi Qutong capsule could improve the symptoms of inflammatory joint redness, swelling and deformity in CIA rats in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with normal group, clinical score and incidence, joint synovial inflammation, vasospasm, cartilage erosion and pathological score of bone destruction in joint group were significantly increased (PPPβ, TNF-α, VEGF, MMP-3 and RANKL in serum were increased (PPPPPPPβ, TNF-α, VEGF, MMP-3 and RANKL were significantly decreased (PPConclusion:Fengshi Qutong capsule can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms and conditions of experimental rheumatoid arthritis in rats, reduce the incidence, and relieve the histopathology and imaging severity, while inhibiting the inflammatory cytokines.