Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2025
Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
Published on: May 16, 2025
Effects of Pereskia aculeate Miller Petroleum Ether Extract on Complete Freund's Adjuvant-Induced Rheumatoid
Yifei Chen1,2, Kaifei Liu2, Yingyuan Qin3
1School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of petroleum ether extract of P. aculeate Miller (PEEP) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: In vitro: The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect cell activity and select the optimal concentration of the extract; the effective site was screened by nitric oxide (NO) colorimetric method and Q-PCR method; the expression of p38, p-p38, p-MK2, and Tristetraprolin (TTP) in RAW 264.7 cells were detected by Western blot. In vivo: The rat model was established by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The different doses of PEEP on CFA rats were observed with life status, paw swelling, spleen index, X-ray, Hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining; the secretion of Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were detected by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the expressions of p38, p-p38, p-MK2, and TTP in the ankle joints of CFA rats were detected by Western blot. Result: In vitro: PEEP, Ethyl Acetate Extract of P. aculeate Miller (EEEP), N-butanol Extract of P. aculeate Miller (BEEP) have no toxic effects on RAW264.7 macrophages. PEEP, EEEP, and BEEP reduce the secretion of NO in RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), only PEEP significantly inhibited the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6; PEEP-dependently reduce the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6, decrease the expression of p-p38 and p-MK2, and the level of TTP phosphorylation in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. In vivo: PEEP improve the living conditions of CFA rats, reduce foot swelling, spleen index, bone surface erosion and joint space narrowing; reduce the formation of synovial cells, inflammatory cells and pannus in the foot and ankle joints. PEEP reduce the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, PGE2 in rat serum, downregulate the expression of p-p38 and p-MK2 in the ankle joint, and reduce the phosphorylation of TTP. Conclusion: PEEP improve the living conditions of CFA rats, reduce the degree of foot swelling, protect immune organs, reduce inflammatory cell infiltration, cartilage damage, pannus formation, reduce inflammation and RA damage. The mechanism through regulating the signal pathway of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38/MAPK), which reduces the release of TNF-α, IL-6, and PGE2 in the serum.
Insights
Petroleum ether extract of P. aculeate (PEEP) effectively treats rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by reducing inflammation and joint damage. PEEP regulates the p38/MAPK pathway, decreasing key inflammatory markers like TNF-α, IL-6, and PGE2.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation and destruction.
- Current RA treatments have limitations, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic agents.
- Plant-derived extracts are a promising source for developing new RA therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of petroleum ether extract of P. aculeate Miller (PEEP) in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of PEEP's anti-arthritic effects.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies using RAW 264.7 macrophages to assess cytotoxicity, nitric oxide (NO) production, and inflammatory cytokine expression (TNF-α, IL-6).
- Western blot analysis to detect the expression of p38, p-p38, p-MK2, and Tristetraprolin (TTP) in vitro and in vivo.
- In vivo studies using a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis rat model to evaluate paw swelling, spleen index, joint histopathology, and serum inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, PGE2).
Main Results:
- PEEP demonstrated no cytotoxicity to RAW 264.7 macrophages and significantly reduced LPS-induced NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 production.
- PEEP inhibited the p38/MAPK signaling pathway by decreasing the phosphorylation of p38 and p-MK2, and reducing TTP phosphorylation in vitro.
- In vivo, PEEP treatment ameliorated CFA-induced arthritis symptoms, including reduced paw swelling, spleen index, and histopathological damage, while lowering serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and PGE2 and downregulating p-p38 and p-MK2 expression in ankle joints.
Conclusions:
- PEEP exhibits significant anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects by alleviating inflammation and protecting joint structures.
- The therapeutic mechanism of PEEP involves the modulation of the p38/MAPK signaling pathway.
- PEEP represents a potential therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis, warranting further clinical investigation.
