Pharmacological and immunomodulatory modes of action of medically important phytochemicals against arthritis: A molecular insight

Pharmacological modes of plant-derived compounds for targeting inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis: A comprehensive review on immunomodulatory perspective

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most prevalent autoimmune, chronic, inflammatory disease characterized by joint inflammation, synovial swelling, loss of articular structures, swelling, and pain. RA is a major cause of discomfort and disability worldwide, associated with infectious agents, genetic determinants, epigenetic factors, advancing age, obesity, and smoking. Although conventional therapies for RA alleviate the symptoms, but their long-term use is associated with significant side effects. This necessitates the urge to discover complementary and alternative medicine from natural products with minimum side effects.

PURPOSE

In this review, natural product's potential mechanism of action against RA has been documented in the setting of in-vivo, in-vitro and pre-clinical trials, which provides new treatment opportunities for RA patients. The bioefficacy of these natural product's bioactive compounds must be further studied to discover novel natural medications for RA with high selectivity, improved effectiveness, and economic replacement with minimum side effects.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The current review article was designed systematically in chronological order. Plants and their phytochemicals are discussed in an order concerning their mode of action. All the mechanisms of action are depicted in diagrams which are thoroughly generated by the Chembiodraw to maintain the integrity of the work. Moreover, by incorporating the recent data with simple language which is not incorporated previously, we tried to provide a molecular insight to the readers of every level and ethnicity. Moreover, Google Scholar, PubMed, ResearchGate, and Science Direct databases were used to collect the data.

SOLUTION

Traditionally, various plant extracts and bioactive compounds are effectively used against RA, but their comprehensive pharmacological mechanistic actions are rarely discussed. Therefore, the objective of this study is to systematically review the efficacy and proposed mechanisms of action of different plants and their bioactive compounds including Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (celastrol and triptolide), Nigella sativa (thymoquinone), Zingiber officinale (shogaols, zingerone), Boswellia serrata (boswellic acids), Curcuma longa (curcumin), and Syzygium aromaticum (eugenol) against rheumatoid arthritis.

CONCLUSION

These plants have strong anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-arthritic effects in different study designs of rheumatoid arthritis with negligible side effects. Phytomedicines could revolutionize pharmacology as they act through alternative pathways hence seeming biocompatible.

From Tea to Functional Foods: Exploring Caryopteris mongolica Bunge for Anti-Rheumatoid Arthritis and Unraveling Its Potential Mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Caryopteris mongolica Bunge (CM) shows promising potential for managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and digestive disorders, attributed to its rich content of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids. Despite its common use in herbal tea, the specific mechanisms underlying CM's anti-inflammatory and joint-protective effects remain unclear, limiting its development as a functional food. This study investigated the effects of aqueous CM extract on RA in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats and explored the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 8): normal control, CIA model, methotrexate (MTX), and CM high-, middle-, and low-dose groups. Anti-inflammatory and joint-protective effects were evaluated using biochemical and histological analyses. To elucidate the mechanisms, we applied metabolomics, network pharmacology, and transcriptomics approaches.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that CM extract effectively suppressed synovial inflammation in CIA rats, reducing joint degradation. CM's anti-inflammatory effects were mediated through the TNF signaling pathway, modulating glycerophospholipid and amino acid metabolism, including reduced levels of tryptophan, LysoPC, and asparagine. Molecular docking identified scutellarin and apigenin as key bioactive compounds. Additionally, immunofluorescence analysis revealed CM's therapeutic effects via TNF signaling inhibition and suppression of M1 macrophage polarization.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of CM for RA and support its development as a functional food or pharmaceutical product.

Modulatory Effects of Phytochemicals on Gut-Brain Axis: Therapeutic Implication

This article explores the potential therapeutic implications of phytochemicals on the gut-brain axis (GBA), which serves as a communication network between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system. Phytochemicals, which are compounds derived from plants, have been shown to interact with the gut microbiota, immune system, and neurotransmitter systems, thereby influencing brain function. Phytochemicals such as polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids, and terpenoids have been identified as having potential therapeutic implications for various neurological disorders. The GBA plays a critical role in the development and progression of various neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in gut microbiota composition, has been associated with a range of neurological disorders, suggesting that modulating the gut microbiota may have potential therapeutic implications for these conditions. Although these findings are promising, further research is needed to elucidate the optimal use of phytochemicals in neurological disorder treatment, as well as their potential interactions with other medications. The literature review search was conducted using predefined search terms such as phytochemicals, gut-brain axis, neurodegenerative, and Parkinson in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library.