Kaempferitrin inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and ameliorates inflammation in human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast‐like synoviocytes

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with the aberrant activation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Kaempferitrin is a natural flavonoid glycoside that possesses anti-inflammatory bioactivity. However, the effect of kaempferitrin on RA has not yet been revealed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of kaempferitrin on human RA-FLS MH7A cell line. We found that kaempferitrin inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of MH7A cells. Kaempferitrin decreased the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, and MMP-3 in MH7A cells. Moreover, kaempferitrin blocked the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. Furthermore, treatment with kaempferitrin decreased paw thickness and arthritis scores, and reduced the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in a collagen-induced arthritis mouse model. In conclusion, kaempferitrin inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis, and ameliorated inflammation of RA-FLS by suppressing the NF-κB and Akt/mTOR pathways.