Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Triptolide mitigates rheumatoid arthritis through Notch1/Jagged1 pathway

Yidan Gao , Yi Zhang, Lili Chen

Department of Rheumatology and Hematology, Fujian Provincial Government Hospital, Fuzhou 350003, Fujian Province, China;

For correspondence:- Yidan Gao Email: jigang332954244630@163.com

Accepted: 29 May 2023 Published: 30 June 2023

Citation: Gao Y, Zhang Y, Chen L. Triptolide mitigates rheumatoid arthritis through Notch1/Jagged1 pathway. Trop J Pharm Res 2023; 22(6):1189-1195 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v22i6.7

© 2023 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To determine the effect of triptolide on rheumatoid arthritis, and the underlying mechanism of action.

Methods: Sixty Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to blank control, model, methotrexate, and triptolide groups (n = 15/group). A rat model of rheumatoid arthritis was established. Each group was given the corresponding treatment. Toe edema and arthritis index of rats were assessed in all the groups. Levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: Serum levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly higher in model rats than in blank control, while IL-10 level was significantly lower (p < 0.05). In triptolide group, serum IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly lower than the corresponding levels in model group, but IL-10 was significantly higher. The relative mRNA and protein concentrations of Notch1 and Jagged1 were significantly higher in model rats than in blank control rats, but significantly lower, relative to model rats.

Conclusion: Tripterygium wilfordii exerts a good therapeutic effect in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in rats, most likely by inhibiting the activation of Notch1/Jagged1 signal pathway. Thus, it regulates inflammation by regulating the expressions of various inflammatory cytokines, and may be potential agent for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords: Tripterygium wilfordii, Triptolide, Notch1, Jagged1, Rheumatoid arthritis, Toe edema, Arthritis index, Methotrexate