Plant-Derived Molecule Rebalances Fat Metabolism to Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis
Obakulactone (OL), a natural compound from Phellodendri cortex, promotes degradation of ACOT1 via the ubiquitin–proteasome system, restoring unsaturated fatty acid balance and reducing inflammation in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis. The study reported OL lowered inflammatory cytokines and autoantibody markers, shifted macrophages toward anti-inflammatory states, and inhibited synovial fibroblast growth, with direct ACOT1 binding (Kd ~6 μM), suggesting a novel metabolic-targeted approach for RA treatment.