Cichorium intybus L. Extract Suppresses Experimental Gout by Inhibiting the NF-κB and NLRP3 Signaling Pathways

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Fanfan Guo¹  Zhuoxi Jiang¹  Bing Zhang¹  Zhijian Lin¹  Yu Wang¹  Ting Yang¹ 

[1] School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China;

关键词: gout;    nf-κb;    nlrp3;    cichorium intybus l.;    chicory extract;    chicoric acid;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms20194921

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Background: The production and maturation of interleukin (IL)-1β, regulated by the NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways, lie at the core of gout. This study aimed to evaluate the antigout effect of Cichorium intybus L. (also known as chicory) in vivo and in vitro. Methods: A gout animal model was established with monosodium urate (MSU) crystal injections. Rats were orally administered with chicory extract or colchicine. Levels of ankle edema, inflammatory activity, and IL-1β release were observed. Several essential targets of the NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways were detected. Primary macrophages were isolated to verify the antigout mechanism of chicory extract as well as chicoric acid in vitro. Results: Improvements of swelling degree, inflammatory activity, and histopathological lesion in MSU-injected ankles were observed in the treatment with chicory extract. Further, the chicory extract significantly decreased IL-1β release by suppressing the NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways in gout rats. Similar to the in vivo results, IL-1β release was also inhibited by chicory extract and chicoric acid, a specific effective compound in chicory, through the NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways. Conclusion: This study suggests that chicory extract and chicoric acid may be used as promising therapeutic agents against gout by inhibiting the NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways.

【 授权许可】

Unknown