Anti-Rheumatoid Arthritis Effects of Dangshen Ejiao Pill Mediated through Nuclear Factor-κB Pathway

Dangshen Ejiao (DE) pill, a traditional Chinese hospital preparation, has been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China for decades with an unknown mechanism. This study aims to investigate the anti-RA and anti-inflammatory effect of DE using a Collagen-Induced Arthritis (CIA) model and explore its underlying mechanism of action. The quality control analysis of DE was performed by the phytochemical determination of 9 main monomers. The anti-RA effect of DE was validated by its reduction of inflammatory responses and CCP level in the CIA model. DE inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 both in vivo and in vitro. Further mechanism study revealed that DE might alleviate inflammatory responses in the treatment of RA by blocking both canonical and noncanonical NF-κB pathways, and thus provided a powerful scientific foundation for its expanded application and approval as an anti-RA drug.