Extraction of anthocyanins from purple sweet potato: evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects in a rheumatoid arthritis animal model, mechanistic studies on inflammatory cells, and development of exosome-based delivery for enhanced targeting

ObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by inflammation and joint damage. Anthocyanins, such as those from purple sweet potato are known for their anti-inflammatory effects.MethodsThis study evaluated purple sweet potato anthocyanins (PSPA) therapeutic potential in...

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Main Authors: Jingjian Dong, Yuntao Lv, Cailiang Zhao, Yuanrui Shi, Ruiming Tang, Liheng He, Ruiwen Fan, Xiaoyun Jia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1559874/full
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author Jingjian Dong
Jingjian Dong
Yuntao Lv
Cailiang Zhao
Yuanrui Shi
Ruiming Tang
Liheng He
Ruiwen Fan
Xiaoyun Jia
author_facet Jingjian Dong
Jingjian Dong
Yuntao Lv
Cailiang Zhao
Yuanrui Shi
Ruiming Tang
Liheng He
Ruiwen Fan
Xiaoyun Jia
author_sort Jingjian Dong
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by inflammation and joint damage. Anthocyanins, such as those from purple sweet potato are known for their anti-inflammatory effects.MethodsThis study evaluated purple sweet potato anthocyanins (PSPA) therapeutic potential in RA using Human RA cells (MH7A) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat models. Rats were divided into control, CIA model, and three PSPA treatment groups (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) for 14 days. Meanwhile, exosomes were extracted from MH7A cells and loaded with PSPA, then co-incubated with inflammatory cells to observe the targeting capability of the drug-loaded exosomes.ResultsPSPA significantly reduced joint swelling and structural damage in CIA rats, with the highest dose (40 mg/kg) reducing tissue hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration. PSPA also altered the gut microbiota, increasing beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia and Lactobacillus. Molecular analysis showed reduced serum levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and rheumatoid factor (RF). In MH7A cells, PSPA decreased inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6, IL-18), inhibited cell proliferation (IC50 = 1.43 μg/mL), and induced apoptosis by modulating Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9. PSPA also restored the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, reversing the suppression seen in CIA models, particularly at 40 mg/kg. Flow cytometry and microscopy confirmed dose-dependent apoptosis and cell cycle modulation. Meanwhile the PSPA-loaded exosomes demonstrated a high targeting capability toward inflammatory cells.ConclusionThese findings indicate that PSPA can alleviate RA symptoms by reducing inflammation, modulating gut microbiota, and promoting apoptosis in synovial fibroblasts, with exosome-encapsulated anthocyanins enhancing its targeting efficiency.
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spelling doaj-art-861844d64d2c4aa68e66f6b1991377742025-08-20T03:45:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-06-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15598741559874Extraction of anthocyanins from purple sweet potato: evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects in a rheumatoid arthritis animal model, mechanistic studies on inflammatory cells, and development of exosome-based delivery for enhanced targetingJingjian Dong0Jingjian Dong1Yuntao Lv2Cailiang Zhao3Yuanrui Shi4Ruiming Tang5Liheng He6Ruiwen Fan7Xiaoyun Jia8College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, ChinaCollege of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, ChinaObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by inflammation and joint damage. Anthocyanins, such as those from purple sweet potato are known for their anti-inflammatory effects.MethodsThis study evaluated purple sweet potato anthocyanins (PSPA) therapeutic potential in RA using Human RA cells (MH7A) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat models. Rats were divided into control, CIA model, and three PSPA treatment groups (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) for 14 days. Meanwhile, exosomes were extracted from MH7A cells and loaded with PSPA, then co-incubated with inflammatory cells to observe the targeting capability of the drug-loaded exosomes.ResultsPSPA significantly reduced joint swelling and structural damage in CIA rats, with the highest dose (40 mg/kg) reducing tissue hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration. PSPA also altered the gut microbiota, increasing beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia and Lactobacillus. Molecular analysis showed reduced serum levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and rheumatoid factor (RF). In MH7A cells, PSPA decreased inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6, IL-18), inhibited cell proliferation (IC50 = 1.43 μg/mL), and induced apoptosis by modulating Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9. PSPA also restored the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, reversing the suppression seen in CIA models, particularly at 40 mg/kg. Flow cytometry and microscopy confirmed dose-dependent apoptosis and cell cycle modulation. Meanwhile the PSPA-loaded exosomes demonstrated a high targeting capability toward inflammatory cells.ConclusionThese findings indicate that PSPA can alleviate RA symptoms by reducing inflammation, modulating gut microbiota, and promoting apoptosis in synovial fibroblasts, with exosome-encapsulated anthocyanins enhancing its targeting efficiency.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1559874/fullanthocyaninpurple sweet potatorheumatoid arthritisgut microbiomeexosomes
spellingShingle Jingjian Dong
Jingjian Dong
Yuntao Lv
Cailiang Zhao
Yuanrui Shi
Ruiming Tang
Liheng He
Ruiwen Fan
Xiaoyun Jia
Extraction of anthocyanins from purple sweet potato: evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects in a rheumatoid arthritis animal model, mechanistic studies on inflammatory cells, and development of exosome-based delivery for enhanced targeting
Frontiers in Immunology
anthocyanin
purple sweet potato
rheumatoid arthritis
gut microbiome
exosomes
title Extraction of anthocyanins from purple sweet potato: evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects in a rheumatoid arthritis animal model, mechanistic studies on inflammatory cells, and development of exosome-based delivery for enhanced targeting
title_full Extraction of anthocyanins from purple sweet potato: evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects in a rheumatoid arthritis animal model, mechanistic studies on inflammatory cells, and development of exosome-based delivery for enhanced targeting
title_fullStr Extraction of anthocyanins from purple sweet potato: evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects in a rheumatoid arthritis animal model, mechanistic studies on inflammatory cells, and development of exosome-based delivery for enhanced targeting
title_full_unstemmed Extraction of anthocyanins from purple sweet potato: evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects in a rheumatoid arthritis animal model, mechanistic studies on inflammatory cells, and development of exosome-based delivery for enhanced targeting
title_short Extraction of anthocyanins from purple sweet potato: evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects in a rheumatoid arthritis animal model, mechanistic studies on inflammatory cells, and development of exosome-based delivery for enhanced targeting
title_sort extraction of anthocyanins from purple sweet potato evaluation of anti inflammatory effects in a rheumatoid arthritis animal model mechanistic studies on inflammatory cells and development of exosome based delivery for enhanced targeting
topic anthocyanin
purple sweet potato
rheumatoid arthritis
gut microbiome
exosomes
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1559874/full
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