2. Academic Validation
  3. Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation Reveal Wu Miao Pill's Therapeutic Effects on Acute Gouty Arthritis Through P2X7R Regulation

Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation Reveal Wu Miao Pill's Therapeutic Effects on Acute Gouty Arthritis Through P2X7R Regulation

  • Biochem Genet. 2025 Dec 6. doi: 10.1007/s10528-025-11291-0.
Wei-Qin Gao 1,  Xue-Zhong Gong 2,  Cen Chang 2,  Li Li 3,  Yang-Yi Gu 3,  Dong-Yi He 4
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1474 West Yan'an Road, Changning District, Shanghai, 200052, China.
  • 2 Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200071, China.
  • 3 Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200052, China.
  • 4 Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1474 West Yan'an Road, Changning District, Shanghai, 200052, China. [email protected].
PMID: 41351812 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-025-11291-0
Abstract

Acute gouty arthritis (AGA) is a common inflammatory joint disease with limited therapeutic options and notable side effects from conventional treatments. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanisms of the traditional Chinese herbal formula Wu Miao Pill (WMP) in a rat model of AGA induced by monosodium urate crystals. WMP administration markedly alleviated joint inflammation and swelling, improved synovial histopathology, and reduced the expression of P2X7 Receptor (P2X7R) and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α. P2X7R inhibition and knockdown experiments confirmed its central role in the therapeutic effect of WMP. Network pharmacology further revealed multiple active compounds targeting inflammatory pathways, notably IL-17 and NF-κB signaling. Overall, WMP exhibits significant anti-inflammatory efficacy through modulation of P2X7R and related pathways, providing experimental and mechanistic evidence for its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for AGA.

Keywords

Acute gouty arthritis; Anti-inflammatory; P2X7 receptor; Pro-inflammatory cytokines; Rat model; Wu Miao Pill.

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