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Planta Med 2021; 87(07): 550-559
DOI: 10.1055/a-1352-5124
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers

Total Flavonoids of Bidens pilosa Ameliorates Bone Destruction in Collagen-Induced Arthritis

Mengqin Hong‡
1   Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
,
Xingyu Fan‡
1   Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
,
Shengxiang Liang
2   Department of Social Medicine and Health Service Management, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
,
Wang Xiang
1   Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
,
Liting Chen
1   Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
,
Yuzhong Yang
3   Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
,
Yueyi Deng
4   School of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
,
Min Yang
1   Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
› Author AffiliationsSupported by: National Natural Science Foundation of China 81560274
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Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the infiltration of synovial inflammatory cells and progressive joint destruction. Total flavonoids of Bidens pilosa have been used against inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, but its role in bone destruction remains to be explored. The aim of this paper was to study whether total flavonoids of B. pilosa relieve the severity of collagen-induced arthritis in rats, particularly whether it regulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines and the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand/osteoprotegerin signaling pathway. In this research, a collagen-induced disease model was induced in adult rats by subcutaneous injection of collagen II. Total flavonoids of B. pilosa at different doses (40, 80, and 160 mg/kg/d) were administered intragastrically, while methotrexate (1 mg/kg/w) was injected intraperitoneally as a positive control. Paw swelling, arthritis score, and body weight were assessed and evaluated. The severity of joint damage was determined using X-ray and confirmed by histopathology. The expression levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, osteoprotegerin, IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF in the serum and tissue were assayed using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. We found that total flavonoids of B. pilosa attenuated collagen-induced arthritis at the macroscopic level, and total flavonoids of B. pilosa-treated rats showed reduced paw swelling, arthritis scores, and X-ray appearance of collagen-induced arthritis in addition to improved histopathological results. These findings were consistent with reduced serum and tissue receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, TNF, IL-1β, and IL-17 levels but increased osteoprotegerin levels. Our data suggest that total flavonoids of B. pilosa attenuate collagen-induced arthritis by suppressing the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB/osteoprotegerin pathway and the subsequent production of proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, total flavonoids of B. pilosa may be a promising therapeutic candidate for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Key words

Bidens pilosa - Asteraceae - rheumatoid arthritis - collagen-induced - arthritis - osteoprotegerin - RANKL

Supporting Information

    Additional information about TFB through HPLC studies is available as Supporting Information.

  • Supporting Information


Publication History

Received: 26 September 2020

Accepted after revision: 27 December 2020

Article published online:
11 February 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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