# Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Curcumin via the Nrf2-cGAS-STING-NF-κB Pathway in MH7A Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes

## TL;DR

Curcumin reduces inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis cells by activating a protective pathway and inhibiting a harmful signaling cascade.

## Contribution

The study identifies a novel molecular mechanism by which curcumin modulates the NRF2-cGAS-STING-NF-κB pathway to suppress inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

## Key findings

- Curcumin significantly reduces cell migration and invasion in rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes.
- Curcumin increases NRF2 expression while decreasing cGAS, STING, and NF-κB levels in a dose-dependent manner.
- The anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin are linked to suppression of the cGAS-STING-NF-κB signaling pathway.

## Abstract

What is the main finding?
Curcumin (CUR) can effectively inhibit the inflammatory response of synovial fibroblasts by activating the expression of NRF2 and subsequently suppressing the cGAS-STING-NF-κB signaling pathway.

Curcumin (CUR) can effectively inhibit the inflammatory response of synovial fibroblasts by activating the expression of NRF2 and subsequently suppressing the cGAS-STING-NF-κB signaling pathway.

What is the implication of the main finding?
This study provides a new molecular mechanism target for curcumin in the treatment of RA and offers a theoretical basis for the intervention of autoimmune diseases with natural products.

This study provides a new molecular mechanism target for curcumin in the treatment of RA and offers a theoretical basis for the intervention of autoimmune diseases with natural products.

Background: Abnormal activation of the NRF2-cGAS-STING-NF-κB pathway can trigger an inflammatory cascade in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Curcumin (CUR), a polyphenolic compound extracted from turmeric, possesses anti-inflammatory activity, but whether it can modulate this pathway to ameliorate RA remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate whether CUR inhibits the inflammatory response in synovial fibroblasts (MH7A) by suppressing the NRF2-cGAS-STING-NF-κB signaling cascade. Methods: An RA inflammatory model was constructed by stimulating MH7A cells with 20 ng/mL tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Groups included a control group, a model group, a methotrexate positive control group [MTX(methotrexate), 10 μmol/L], and curcumin treatment groups at varying concentrations (10–100 μmol/L). Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8(Cell Counting Kit-8) assay. Cell migration and invasion capabilities were evaluated via scratch wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. mRNA and protein expression levels of NRF2(Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2), cGAS(cyclic GMP-AMP synthase), STING(stimulator of interferon genes), and NF-κB(nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) were measured using qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Protein localization was determined by immunofluorescence. Results: Compared to the model group (TNF-induced), the cell migration rate in the curcumin (CUR) groups was significantly decreased (p < 0.001), with a particularly marked reduction observed at a concentration of 50 μmol/L. Furthermore, as the concentration of curcumin increased, cell invasion capacity showed a significant dose-dependent decline. The apoptosis rate also significantly decreased with increasing curcumin concentrations, demonstrating a clear concentration-dependent effect. Mechanistically, curcumin treatment significantly upregulated the expression of NRF2 and inhibited the activation of its downstream cGAS-STING-NF-κB signaling pathway. Specifically, both mRNA and protein expression levels of NRF2 were markedly elevated (p < 0.001), while the mRNA and protein levels of cGAS, STING, and NF-κB were all significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Curcumin (CUR) can effectively inhibit the inflammatory response of synovial fibroblasts by activating the expression of NRF2 and subsequently suppressing the cGAS-STING-NF-κB signaling pathway. This study provides a new molecular mechanism target for curcumin in the treatment of RA and offers a theoretical basis for the intervention of autoimmune diseases with natural products.