A Natural Plant Ingredient, Menthone, Regulates T Cell Subtypes and Lowers Pro-inflammatory Cytokines of Rheumatoid Arthritis

J Nat Prod. 2022 Apr 22;85(4):1109-1117. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c01231. Epub 2022 Mar 18.

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with nearly 1.6 billion patients worldwide and an incidence of 0.5-1%. In recent years, basic and clinical studies have revealed that immune cell responses and corresponding secretion of inflammatory factors are important in the control of RA development. Our study found that a natural plant ingredient, menthone, could be used as a potential antirheumatism compound. In vivo observations demonstrated that menthone alleviates collagen II-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. Furthermore, we found that menthone regulates the number of Th1 and Th17 cells in CIA mice. Importantly, menthone significantly inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, in CIA mice. Our study suggests a potential component for the development of drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthritis, Experimental* / chemically induced
  • Arthritis, Experimental* / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / drug therapy
  • Cytokines
  • Humans
  • Menthol
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Th17 Cells

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Menthol
  • menthone