Objective:

2

To investigate the mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine

Dioscorea nipponica

for the treatment of monosodium urate crystals-induced gouty arthritis (GA) in rats.

Methods:

2

Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: normal

model

indomethacin and three total saponin (900

300 and 100 mg/kg) groups. The liver

kidney and serum levels of lysosomal enzymes

antioxidant capacities

and inflammatory factors were measured. In addition

the mRNA and protein levels of the NALP3 inflammasome components in the mononuclear cells of rats' peripheral blood were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting methods

respectively.

Results:

2

Total saponins groups could reduce the activities of β-galactosidase

β-N acetyl glucosamine enzyme

β-glucuronidase

acid phosphatase

and malonaldehyde as well as the contents of TNF-α

IL-1β and IL-8 (all

P

<

0.05). They could also increase the activities of glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase (both

P

<

0.05). Further studies showed that total saponins groups of high

middle and low doses could all increase the mRNA and protein levels of caspase-1

adapter apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC) and NALP3 in the mononuclear cells of peripheral blood (all

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion:

2

Dioscorea nipponica

may treat GA by regulating lysosomal enzymes

antioxidant capacities and the NALP3 inflammasome.