Astilbin Alleviates Gouty Arthritis via Regulating NLRP3 Inflammasome and NF-κB Signaling Pathway: A Comprehensive Study on In Vitro and In Vivo Experimental Models

Background/Objectives: Gouty arthritis (GA) is an inflammatory disease caused by increased purine metabolism. The limitations of current anti-GA therapies remain a major challenge. Astilbin, the main flavonoid in Smilax glabra Roxb., was found to exert potential anti-GA effects in our previous study. Methods: In this study, a mouse model of monosodium urate (MSU)-induced arthritis and an inflammatory model using mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were established. Results: Our data showed that astilbin reduced MSU-induced joint swelling and inflammatory infiltration in mice, restored lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/MSU-induced reductions in cell viability, and inhibited the expression levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Further studies showed that astilbin significantly reduced MSU-induced increases in NLRP3 and P-p65 protein levels, as well as the expression of ASC, P-IKKα, P-IκBα, and cleaved-caspase-1. Conclusions: This study suggests that astilbin may be a promising natural product for the treatment of GA by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB signaling pathway.