Pereskia aculeata Miller, COX-2 target, Cynaroside, Network pharmacology, Rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammation, Nutrition. Foods and food supply, TX341-641

Pereskia aculeata Miller (OPN), an edible plant, has the potential to treat the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This article aimed to characterize its phytochemical profile and to explore the key target and bioactive compounds against RA. Using UPLC-MS combined with reference substances, 75 components were characterized. Network pharmacology suggested that COX-2 may be the key target for OPN in suppressing RA-related inflammation. Subsequently, it was validated OPN exerts inhibitory effect on inflammation via reducing pro-inflammatory factor IL-6 level and suppressing the enzyme catalytic activity and mRNA expression of COX-2. Moreover, 11 potential bioactive compounds were found, in which cynaroside showed potent effect on reducing IL-6 level in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells by acting on COX-2. Hence, we considered cynaroside is a main bioactive ingredient of OPN in the treatment of RA's inflammation via COX-2 target, which is possibly related to a strong binding to COX-2 protein and occupying some catalytic residues, thereby blocking the production of prostaglandins and inflammatory process.