NLRP3 and rheumatoid arthritis: Our findings demonstrate that emodin alleviates RA synovitis through dual mechanisms: inhibition of mitochondrial autophagy to regulate the balance between mitochondrial autophagy and pyroptosis, and suppression of HIF-1α/NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis signaling, thereby reducing IL-1β and IL-18 release and inhibiting synovial cell proliferation.