Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 57-70 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 59 2.3.4 Other bioactive compounds In addition to saponins, polysaccharides, and flavonoids, Achyranthes bidentata contains other bioactive compounds that contribute to its medicinal properties. These may include alkaloids, sterols, and phenolic acids, which collectively enhance the plant's therapeutic potential in treating bone and joint disorders. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the specific roles and mechanisms of these additional compounds in bone health. 3 Pharmacological Properties of Achyranthes bidentata 3.1 Anti-inflammatory and analgesic Achyranthes bidentata is suitable for symptoms such as low back and knee pain, rheumatism, foot weakness and muscle spasms, and has good anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Studies have shown that the plant can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, which are key mediators in inflammatory processes. For instance, a study on the renal-protective effects of Achyranthes bidentata revealed that it significantly reduced inflammation in acute kidney injury models by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines and reducing macrophage and neutrophil infiltration (Figure 1) (Wang et al., 2020). Additionally, the use of Achyranthes bidentata in Sanmiao Wan has been shown to enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of berberine in treating acute gouty arthritis, further supporting its role in inflammation modulation (Wu et al., 2018). Ju et al. (2021) confirmed that Achyranthes bidentata can significantly inhibit the activity of MCF-7 cells and reduce the production of NO and tumor necrosis factor-α in macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS), thereby triggering anti-inflammatory effects. β-Ecdysterone in Achyranthes bidentata can inhibit the transduction of NF-κB signals, reduce the activity of cysteine protease-3, downregulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (matrix metalloproteinase, MMP3), MMP9 and cyclooxygenase-2, and achieve anti-inflammatory and matrix degradation effects (Zhang et al., 2014). Achyranthes bidentata total saponins, geniposide and total steroids acted on mouse ear swelling, rat foot swelling and granulomatous inflammation models, and the inflammatory response was alleviated (Gao, et al., 2003; Lu, 2014; Zhan et al., 2019; Fu et al., 2021). At present, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic mechanisms of Achyranthes bidentata mainly focus on improving the body's immune function and activating the phagocytic function of macrophages. Figure 1 Effect of HQ, NX, and YNX on kidney function (Adopted from Wang et al., 2020) Image caption: A. Representative images showed that intragastric administration of HQ, NX, and YNX for 1 week interfered with LPS-induced renal tissue damage in mice (HE, ×400). B, C. LPS induced the increase of Scr and BUN levels in mice ( P< 0.001), and HQ, NX, and YNX had significant intervention effects compared with the model group ( P< 0.01 or 0.001). Data are mean ± SD. n = 10 mices per group. * P< 0.05 vs model group. ** P< 0.01 vs model group. *** P< 0.001 vs model group. Model：LPS (5 mg/kg); HQ: positive control drug (2 g/kg, LPS 5 mg/kg); NX: Raw Achyranthes aqueous extract (referred to as NX in this study 4 g/kg, LPS 5 mg/kg); YNX: Salt-processed Achyranthes aqueous extract (YNX: 4 g/kg, LPS: 5 mg/kg) (Adopted from Wang et al., 2020)
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