Cucurbitacin R reduces the inflammation and bone damage associated with adjuvant arthritis in lewis rats by suppression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in T lymphocytes and macrophages.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cucurbitacin R on an experimental model of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. The treatment of arthritic rats with cucurbitacin R (1 mg/kg p.o. daily) modified the evolution of the clinical symptoms, whereas the histopathology of paws demonstrated a reduction in the signs of arthritis. Compared with the control group, radiography of the tibiotarsal joints of cucurbitacin R-treated rats showed a decrease in joint damage and soft tissue swelling of the footpad. The in vivo study of the expression of proinflammatory enzymes (nitric-oxide synthase-2 and cyclooxygenase-2) with the aid of the Western blot technique, and that of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and prostaglandin E(2) by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays demonstrated a clear decrease in both the enzymes and the mediators in paw homogenates. The analysis for prostaglandin E(2), nitric oxide, and TNF-alpha production in RAW 264.7 macrophages, as well as that for TNF-alpha in human lymphocytes, indicated a reduction of all mediators. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 was not modified in RAW 264.7 macrophages, whereas the expression of nitric-oxide synthase-2 was clearly diminished. Moreover, cucurbitacin R was found to inhibit signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation in the lymphocytes of both healthy and arthritic men. These experimental data on the chronic model, together with previously reported activity on acute and subchronic experimental models, justify the anti-inflammatory activity of cucurbitacin R and provide further evidence for the therapeutic potential of a group of natural products as anti-inflammatory agents.
Escandell
José M
JM
Departament de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
Recio
M Carmen
MC
Máñez
Salvador
S
Giner
Rosa M
RM
Cerdá-Nicolás
Miguel
M
Ríos
José Luis
JL
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002460:Cell Line; D054728:Cucurbitacins; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human; D014315:Triterpenes; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C517916:cucurbitacin R; D013481:Superoxides; D054728:Cucurbitacins; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D015232:Dinoprostone