Targeted inhibition of TAK1 phosphorylation at Thr184,184 sites by Tubuloside B to improve rheumatoid arthritis synovium function

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an intractable chronic inflammatory disease characterized by synovial hyperplasia and consecutive inflammation. Tubuloside B (Tub B) is the major active constituent isolated from Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) Wight which is a traditional Chinese medicine with anti-inflammatory efficacy. In this study, we aimed to examine the ability of Tubuloside B to treat RA and explore the underlying mechanisms. Overall design: Briefly, 2 mL cell suspension was seeded into a 6-well plate (1 × 10^6 cells/well) and cultured in DMEM with 10% FBS for 24 h in a CO2 incubator at 37°C. Then, the cell samples were divided into four groups: the mock group was incubated as normal, the model group was stimulated by TNF-a (20 ng/mL) for 24hand the TNF+Tub B-treat group was treated with 60 µM Tub B at the same time as TNF-a stimulation for 24 h,the Tub B-treat group was treated with 60 µM Tub B for 24h