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

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.