Isorhamnetin Downregulates MMP2 and MMP9 to Inhibit Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis through SRC/ERK/CREB Pathway

Objective To investigate the effect of isorhamnetin on the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α -induced fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) was exposed to additional isorhamnetin (10, 20 and 40 µ mol/L). Overexpression vectors for matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) or MMP9 or SRC were transfected to explore their roles in isorhamnetin-mediated RA-FLS function. RA-FLS viability, migration, and invasion were evaluated. Moreover, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model was established. Rats were randomly divided to sham, CIA, low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups using a random number table ( n =5 in each group) and administed with normal saline or additional isorhamnetin [2, 10, and 20 mg/(kg·day)] for 4 weeks, respectively. Arthritis index was calculated and synovial tissue inflammation was determined in CIA rats. The levels of MMP2, MMP9, TNF-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1 β, as well as the phosphorylation levels of SRC, extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding (CREB), were detected in RA-FLS and synovial tissue. Molecular docking was also used to analyze the binding of isorhamnetin to SRC. Results In in vitro studies, isorhamnetin inhibited RA-FLS viability, migration and invasion ( P <0.05). Isorhamnetin downregulated the levels of MMP2, MMP9, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1 β in RA-FLS ( P <0.05). The overexpression of either MMP2 or MMP9 reversed isorhamnetin-inhibited RA-FLS migration and invasion, as well as the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1 β ( P <0.05). Furthermore, isorhamnetin bound to SRC and reduced the phosphorylation of SRC, ERK, and CREB ( P <0.05). SRC overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of isorhamnetin on RA-FLS viability, migration and invasion, as well as the negative regulation of MMP2 and MMP9 ( P <0.05). In in vivo studies, isorhamnetin decreased arthritis index scores ( P <0.05) and alleviated synovial inflammation. Isorhamnetin reduced the levels of MMP2, MMP9, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1 β, as well as the phosphorylation of SRC, ERK, and CREB in synovial tissue ( P <0.05). Notably, the inhibitory effect of isorhamnetin was more pronounced at higher concentrations ( P <0.05). Conclusion Isorhamnetin exhibited anti-RA effects through modulating SRC/ERK/CREB and MMP2/MMP9 signaling pathways, suggesting that isorhamnetin may be a potential therapeutic agent for RA.