Anti-arthritic effect of astragaloside IV and its molecular mechanism

Abstract The anti-inflammatory drugs and biological agents have been commonly used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other chronic inflammatory joint diseases. However, the prolonged use of such drugs may lead to severe side effects. Therefore, there is a growing need for newer drugs that are effective and less toxic for the treatment of these diseases. Natural plant extracts and purified bioactive compounds offer a promising resource for potential anti-arthritic agents. The saponin astragaloside IV (AST) is one of major active components purified from Astragalus membranaceus, which has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat immune disorders including RA. This review summarizes our recent findings on anti-arthritic effect of AST and its molecular mechanism. Key words Astragaloside IV; arthritis; macrophage; chondrocyte; inflammation