Therapeutic potential of Coprinus comatus nanogels: Antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory effects in rheumatoid arthritis models.

Background and aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent joint inflammation and systemic immune dysregulation. The current pharmacological treatments, primarily synthetic drugs, often present adverse effects and long-term toxicity. This study explores the therapeutic potential of Coprinus comatus nanogels as a novel herbal formulation with antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory properties in a Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced rat model of RA. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of C. comatus nanogels in reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, antibody production, paw edema, and arthritis indices and to assess their potential as a safer alternative to conventional RA therapies.

Materials and methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomized into six groups: Healthy control, negative control (CFA-induced without treatment), positive control (sodium diclofenac 0.012 g/mL), and three treatment groups (TG1, TG2, and TG3) receiving 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg C. comatus nanogels, respectively. Oral treatments were administered for 30 days. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-6, IL-1β), antibodies (immunoglobulin [Ig]G, IgE), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme activity, paw edema, and arthritis indices were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and standard methods. Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way analysis of variance.

Results: The 750 mg/kg dose of C. comatus nanogels significantly reduced TNF-α (17.71%), IL-1β (19.83%), and IgE (23.91%) levels. The 250 mg/kg dose exhibited the highest reductions in IL-6 (30.88%) and COX-2 (16.54%) levels. TGs demonstrated a 27.75% reduction in paw edema and a 45.45% reduction in arthritis indices. Key bioactive compounds contributing to these effects included flavonoids, polyphenols, triterpenoids, and β-glucans.

Conclusions: C. comatus nanogels demonstrated promising anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic properties, suggesting their potential as an alternative herbal treatment for RA. Further studies are recommended to explore the long-term safety and clinical applicability of C. comatus nanogels in human RA management.