Potential Pterostilbene and Anti Inflammatory Effect on Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy in Rattus norvegicus Rat

Abstract

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases, which primarily involves the joints and may also include extra-articular manifestations, such as nodules, pulmonary involvement, vasculitis, and systemic comorbidities. Pterostilbene (PTE) is responsible for the process of angiogenesis and contributes with its anti-inflammatory properties to the rheumatoid arthritis process. Objective: To verify whether oral Pterostilbene solution use has an effect on the acute phase of the inflammatory process in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.  Methodology: This experimental study was composed of 45 Rattus Norvegicus rats, Wistar strain, divided into three groups corresponding to the Control Group (CG) with no lesion and no treatment; the SHAM Group (SHAM) with lesion but no treatment, and the Pterostilbene Group (PG) with lesion and treatment. The results were evaluated by histology and flow cytometry. Results: The lesions were characterized by a diffuse acute inflammatory process with mild to moderate intensity. It was observed that increasing proliferative activity of fibroblasts and angiogenesis occurred, besides the modulation of inflammatory cytokines, which corroborated the histological findings. Conclusion: It can be concluded that pterostilbene, due to its anti-inflammatory activities, can control inflammation so that there are no exacerbated symptoms and lesions, in addition to stimulating structural restoration by increasing fibroblast production and angiogenesis.