A Bioactive Component from Aconitum pendulum Attenuates Rheumatoid Arthritis-Related Inflammation in Rats via PI3K/Akt Pathway Regulation.

In traditional Chinese medicine and various ethnic medical practices, the roots of Aconitum pendulum N. Busch are commonly used for their ability to dredge meridians, dispel rheumatism, promote blood circulation, and alleviate arthralgia. As a result, this medicinal plant has become a well-regarded treatment for sprains and rheumatic diseases across different ethnic medical systems. This study investigated the mechanisms by which six previously isolated compounds from A. pendulum ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related inflammation using both in vitro and in vivo approaches. A combination of techniques, including network pharmacology, molecular docking, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR), and western blot (WB), was employed. Results demonstrated that smirnotine A, one of the six compounds, alleviates RA symptoms by targeting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and suppressing the inflammatory response. These findings provide a scientific basis for understanding the material foundation and mechanistic action underlying the traditional use of A. pendulum in treating RA.