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Curcumin alleviates rheumatoid arthritis-induced inflammation and synovial hyperplasia by targeting mTOR pathway in

Qiaoding Dai1, Di Zhou2, Liping Xu1

  • 1Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China, daiqiaoding@outlook.com.

Drug Design, Development and Therapy
|December 26, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Curcumin effectively treats rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by reducing joint inflammation and swelling. It works by inhibiting the mTOR pathway, offering potential as a natural therapy for RA.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology
  • Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease causing joint inflammation.
  • The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is implicated in RA pathogenesis.
  • Rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, shows promise in RA treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate curcumin's therapeutic effects on inflammation and synovial hyperplasia in a rheumatoid arthritis model.
  • To explore curcumin's mechanism of action via the mTOR pathway.

Main Methods:

  • A collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model was used to mimic human RA.
  • Rats were treated daily for 3 weeks with curcumin (200 mg/kg) or rapamycin (2.5 mg/kg).
  • Effects on joint swelling, inflammation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and cytokine levels were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Curcumin and rapamycin significantly reduced joint redness and swelling in arthritic rats.
  • Curcumin inhibited the mTOR pathway and inflammatory cell infiltration in the synovium.
  • Both treatments decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-1, MMP-3).

Conclusions:

  • Curcumin alleviates key features of collagen-induced arthritis, including inflammation and synovial hyperplasia, through the mTOR pathway.
  • These findings support curcumin's anti-arthritic properties and its potential as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Curcumin represents a promising natural therapeutic agent for managing rheumatoid arthritis.
Keywords:
collagen-induced arthritiscurcuminmammalian target of rapamycinrapamycinrheumatoid arthritis

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