Tangeretin (TAN), a major phytochemical in tangerine peels and an important Chinese herb, has multiple biological properties, especially antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanisms remain unclear. Based on these findings, the aim of the present study was to assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of TAN in bovine type II collagen-induced arthritis rats.
TAN (50 mg/kg) was given orally once daily for 14 days. The effects of treatment were evaluated by biochemical assay (articular elastase, myeloperoxidase, end products of lipid peroxidation [MDA], antioxidant enzyme, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione), nitric oxide, and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], -IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], interferon-γ [IFN-γ], and prostaglandin E2 [PGE2]). The protective effects of TAN against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were evident from the decrease in arthritis scoring. Furthermore, the Nrf-2 signaling pathway was assessed to illustrate the molecular mechanism.
TAN had therapeutic effects on RA by decreasing the oxidative stress damage and regulating inflammatory cytokine expression, including suppression of the accumulation of MDA products, decreasing the IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and PGE2 levels, enhancing the IL-10 and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which was through upregulating Nrf-2 signaling pathway.
TAN might have potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of RA.