Research on the Therapeutic Mechanism of Sargentgloryvine Stem on CIA Rats Based on NF-κB/NLRP3 Pathway

OBJECTIVE   To investigate the symptom improvement and mechanism of sargentgloryvine stem on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. METHODS  The CIA model in rats was established, and the body weight, joint swelling degree and arthritis index were observed continuously. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-18 in serum were detected by ELISA. The expressions of RANKL, p-IκB-α, NF-κB/p65, p-NF-κB/p65, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in synovial joint of rats were detected by Western blot. RESULTS  The weight growth of rats in the model group slowed down significantly from the second week, while the arthritis index and joint swelling degree increased significantly. The joints of rats were red and swollen and could not bear weight, while sargentgloryvine stem could significantly improve the related symptoms of CIA rats, such as reducing foot swelling, arthritis index score and improving body weight data. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-18 in serum and the expressions of RANKL, p-IκB-α, NF-κB/p65, NF-κB/p65, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in synovial joint of model group were significantly higher than those in normal group (P < 0.01), while the above indexes in sargentgloryvine stem middle and high dose groups were significantly lower than those in model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION  Sargentgloryvine stem can improve the inflammatory response and delay the pathological progress of CIA rats, and the mechanism may be related to the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines release and the inhibition of NF-κB/NLRP3 signal pathway.