Tougu Xiaotong capsules may inhibit p38 MAPK pathway-mediated inflammation: In vivo and in vitro verification. (1st March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Xihai; Zhang, Zhenli; Liang, Wenna; Zeng, Jianwei; Shao, Xiang; Xu, Limei; Jia, Liangliang; He, Xiaojuan; Li, Hui; Zheng, Chunsong; Ye, Hongzhi; Asakawa, Tetsuya
• Is Part Of: Journal of ethnopharmacology. Volume 249(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03-01
• Subjects: Osteoarthritis -- Tougu xiaotong capsule -- Inflammation -- Chondrocyte -- miRNAs -- p38 MAPK pathway; Ethnopharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Herbs -- Periodicals; Herbs -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosie -- Périodiques; Herbes -- Périodiques; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112390
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-8741

Abstract

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Tougu Xiaotong capsules (TXC) are an herbal compound commonly used to treat osteoarthritis (OA) in China. Aim of the study: We attempted to verify TXC's therapeutic effects and mechanisms related to the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in vivo and in vitro. Materials and methods: TXC's therapeutic effects were assessed by observing cartilage degeneration and inflammatory factors in a modified Hulth's model (in vivo) and a lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-exposed cellular model (in vitro). The expression of biomarkers related to p38 MAPK pathway-mediated inflammation was also investigated. Results: TXC treatment reversed cartilage degeneration related biomarkers (ADAMTS 4, ADAMTS 5, Col I, Col V, MMP 3, MMP 9, and MMP 13) and inflammation factors (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) in both the animal and cellular OA models. Expression of p-p38 MAPK was downregulated following TXC administration, and changes to microRNAs in the cellular models were recovered. These results indicated that the p38 MAPK pathway-related mechanism may involve therapeutic effects of TXC. Conclusions: This study verified TXC's efficacy to treat OA in vivo and in vitro and suggests that p38 MAPK pathway-related mechanisms may be involved in TXC's therapeutic effects. Graphical abstract: Therapeutic effects of TXC may be associated with inhibition of p38 MAPK pathway. Image 1