Experimental Study on Chengs Juanbi Decoction Ameliorating Rheumatoid Arthritis via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that leads to joint destruction and systemic complications. Current therapeutic strategies primarily focus on controlling inflammation and slowing disease progression, but they often come with
significant side effects. Chengs Juanbi Decoction (CJD), a traditional Chinese medicinal formula, has been suggested to possess anti-inflammatory properties, but its therapeutic effects in RA and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of
CJD in ameliorating RA in a murine model and explore its molecular mechanisms through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In this
study, RA was induced in BALB/c mice using collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), and the animals were treated with CJD at low (2 g/kg) and
high (4 g/kg) doses. The clinical symptoms of arthritis, including arthritis score and paw swelling, were evaluated. Histopathological analysis
of joint tissues, along with molecular assays, was conducted to assess the effects of CJD on inflammation, cartilage integrity, and cytokine
production. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to examine the activation of key proteins in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
??Our results show that CJD significantly reduced arthritis severity and paw swelling, with the high-dose group exhibiting the most pronounced effects. Histological analysis revealed reduced synovial inflammation and cartilage destruction in CJD-treated groups. Molecular
analysis demonstrated that CJD inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR, leading to decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-?, IL-1?, and IL-6). Moreover, flow cytometry revealed a reduction in activated T cells and macrophages, indicating
the immunomodulatory effects of CJD. Importantly, no significant toxicity was observed in the liver and kidney, supporting the safety of
CJD treatment.