Natural compound could fight rheumatoid arthritis at its source

A natural compound extracted from a medicinal plant has shown surprising promise against rheumatoid arthritis. In rats, it reduced joint swelling, protected cartilage, and calmed the immune responses responsible for chronic inflammation. Scientists discovered that the compound works by targeting a specific protein and restoring balance to fatty acid metabolism, revealing a previously underexplored way to fight the disease. Scientists have identified a natural plant compound that could offer a surprising new approach to fighting rheumatoid arthritis. In experiments with rats, the substance reduced joint swelling, protected cartilage, and calmed harmful immune activity. Researchers also discovered that it works through an unexpected mechanism involving the way the body processes fats.

The findings, published in the journal Engineering, center on a compound called obakulactone (OL), a naturally occurring tetracyclic triterpenoid extracted from Phellodendri cortex, a type of plant bark. Tetracyclic triterpenoids are plant chemicals characterized by a structure containing four interconnected rings. The researchers found that obakulactone helps restore balance to unsaturated fatty acids, which play important roles in cellular function and inflammation. It does this by promoting the breakdown of a protein called acyl coenzyme A thioesterase 1 (ACOT1), using the cell's natural protein disposal system, known as the ubiquitin‒proteasome pathway.