Objective:To explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Tongfengning from the perspective of nucleotide binding oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3(NALP3) inflammasome. Method:A total of 48 SD rats were randomly divided into the model rats (n=36) and the normal rats (n=12). The model rats were injected with 0.2 mL monosodium urate (MSU) suspension through the ankle joint to establish the acute gouty arthritis (AGA) model

while the normal rats were injected with saline at the same location. After the AGA model was established successfully

the model rats were randomly divided into model group

Tongfengning group and colchicine group; saline

Tongfengning liquid and colchicine suspension were administered respectively to the three groups by gavage for 3 days

twice a day. The normal rats were taken as normal group

and administered with the equal volume of saline by gavage at the same time. All of the rats received intraperitoneal anesthesia

and their synovial fluid and tissues were collected in 72 h after successful modeling. Enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA)

Western blot and Real-time PCR technology were used to detect the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in synovial fluid and the nucleotide binding oligomeric domains-containing protein 3 (NALP3) inflammasome-related protein and mRNA expressions in synovial tissues. Result:Compared with the normal group rats

the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in synovial fluid of the model group were increased

and the expressions of NALP3

cystein-aspartic acid protease-1 (Caspase-1)

apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) and their mRNA in synovial tissues of the model group were increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group rats

the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α of in synovial fluid of the Tongfengning group and the colchicine group were significantly decreased

and the expressions of NALP3

Caspase-1

ASC protein and mRNA in synovial tissues of the Tongfengning group and the colchicine group were also decreased (P<0.01); compared with the colchicine group rats

the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in synovial fluid of the Tongfengning group were still higher (P<0.05)

but the expressions of NALP3

Caspase-1

ASC protein and mRNA in synovial tissues of the Tongfengning group were lower (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion:Tongfengning may have an anti-inflammatory mechanism in treating AGA by inhibiting the expressions of NALP3 inflammasome-related protein and mRNA

so as to decrease the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α and alleviating joint inflammation.