Matrix metalloproteinase-13 downregulation and potential cartilage protective action of the Korean Red Ginseng preparation

Protective effects of ginseng and ginsenosides in the development of osteoarthritis (Review)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease. Traditional chinese medicine provides a resource for drug screening for OA treatment. Ginseng and the associated bioactive compound, ginsenosides, may reduce inflammation, which is considered a risk factor for the development of OA. Specifically, ginsenosides may exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress activities, and inhibit extracellular matrix degradation by suppressing the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Notably, specific ginsenosides, such as compound K and Rk1, may physically interact with IκB kinase and inhibit the associated phosphorylation. Thus, ginsenosides exhibit potential as therapeutic candidates in the management of OA. However, the low water solubility limits the clinical applications of ginsenosides. Numerous effective strategies have been explored to improve bioavailability; however, further investigations are still required.

Cinnamic aldehyde, an anti-inflammatory component in Du-Huo-Ji-Sheng-Tang, ameliorates arthritis in II collagenase and monosodium iodoacetate induced osteoarthritis rat models

Background and aim

Du-Huo-Ji-Sheng-Tang (DHJST) is a Chinese herbal formula used for arthralgia and arthritis treatment clinically. This study aims to evaluate the joint-protecting efficacy of DHJST and to identify the active constituents as the evaluation marker.

Experimental procedure

DHJST can be categorized into three recipes: Blood-tonifying-herbs Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), Wind-dampness-dispelling-herbs (WDH) and Qi-tonifying-herbs (TH). All formulas were used to explore the joint-protecting efficacies.

Results and conclusion

s: Firstly, DHJST could decrease the arthritis progression in the monosodium-iodoacetate-induced rat and cure arthritis in the type II collagenase-induced rat. Further, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, DHJST, TH and Cinnamomum cassia (CC), an ingredient in TH, were the most potent nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) inhibitors. The major components, cinnamic aldehyde, showed the strongest NO and PGE₂ inhibition. Up-regulated inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 were inhibited by DHJST, TH, CC, and cinnamic aldehyde. In interleukin-1β-stimulated primary chondrocytes, upregulated iNOS was inhibited by DHJST, TH, Cinnamomum cassia, and cinnamic aldehyde. Upregulated matrix metalloprotease-13 was only inhibited by DHJST and TH and Eucommia ulmoides (EU) extract. Results suggest that DHJST presented joint-protective and cure arthritis effects. TH presented equal joint-protective effects as DHJST. The major anti-inflammatory ingredient in TH was Cinnamomum cassia in TH. And cinnamic aldehyde was the potent anti-inflammatory active compound in Cinnamomum cassia. Therefore, this study may facilitate the modern use of DHJST with TH as a simplified version but equally effective anti-osteoarthritic agents with cinnamic aldehyde as a quality control marker of DHJST and TH in osteoarthritis prevention or treatment.

Clinical Effects of Korean Red Ginseng in Postmenopausal Women With Hand Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Although many menopausal Asian women use herbal remedies for joint pain, there are no studies evaluating the efficacy of Korean red ginseng on osteoarthritis symptoms in postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study is to analyze antioxidant enzyme activity, oxidative stress markers, and pain scores before and after red ginseng consumption, to assess its effect in postmenopausal women. Methods. This prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial enrolled 52 postmenopausal women who presented with hand edema and/or pain and were diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the hand. Patients were randomly assigned to the red ginseng (RG) group (supplemented with 3 g/d of RG for 12 weeks) or the placebo group. Changes in pain and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores, antioxidant enzyme, oxidative stress markers, serum estradiol levels, and endometrial thickness were analyzed. Results. The pain score and DASH score were significantly improved in the RG group (both p < 0.05). The improvement of pain score at rest, during work or sport, and DASH score was significant compared to that of the placebo group. The superoxide dismutase level increased (p < 0.05) and the malondialdehyde level decreased (p < 0.05) significantly in the RG group, while none of the antioxidative factors showed a significant change in the placebo group. Serum estradiol levels and endometrial thickness were not affected by RG supplementation. Conclusion. RG may be an effective dietary supplement for postmenopausal women with degenerative osteoarthritis of the hand. It may relieve pain and improve antioxidative activity without the risk of endometrial thickening.

Oroxylin A attenuates IL-1β-induced inflammatory reaction via inhibiting the activation of the ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways in osteoarthritis chondrocytes

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by degradation of the articular cartilage, synovium inflammation, subchondral bone sclerosis and osteophyte formation. OA is the most common degenerative joint disorder among the elderly population. In particular, currently available therapeutic strategies, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause severe side-effects. Therefore, novel candidate targets for OA therapy are urgently needed. Oroxylin A (OrA) is a natural mono-flavonoid that can be extracted from Scutellariae radix. The present study aimed to investigate the potential effects of OrA on interleukin (IL)-1β-induced chondrocytes inflammatory reactions. The current study performed quantitative PCR, western blotting and cell immunofluorescence to evaluate the effect of Oroxylin A in chondrocyte inflammation. The results demonstrated that OrA significantly attenuated the upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 by IL-1β at both protein and mRNA levels. IL-1β-stimulated upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and MMP-13 expression, in addition to disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-4 and ADAMTS-5 expression, were all inhibited by OrA. Treatment with OrA significantly reversed the degradation of type II collagen and aggrecan by IL-1β. Mechanistically, OrA suppressed the IL-1β induced activation of ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. In conclusion, these findings suggest that OrA can serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of OA.

Cartilage protective and anti-analgesic effects of ALM16 on monosodium iodoacetate induced osteoarthritis in rats

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related joint disease with characteristics that involve the progressive degradation of articular cartilage and resulting chronic pain. Previously, we reported that Astragalus membranaceus and Lithospermum erythrorhizon showed significant anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoarthritis activities. The objective of this study was to examine the protective effects of ALM16, a new herbal mixture (7:3) of ethanol extracts of A. membranaceus and L. erythrorhizon, against OA in in vitro and in vivo models.

Methods

The levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, −3 and − 13 and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in interleukin (IL)-1β or ALM16 treated SW1353 cells were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent and quantitative kit, respectively. In vivo, the anti-analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of ALM16 were assessed via the acetic acid-induced writhing response and in a carrageenan-induced paw edema model in ICR mice, respectively. In addition, the chondroprotective effects of ALM16 were analyzed using a single-intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) in the right knee joint of Wister/ST rat. All samples were orally administered daily for 2 weeks starting 1 week after the MIA injection. The paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) in MIA-injected rats was measured by the von Frey test using the up-down method. Histopathological changes of the cartilage in OA rats were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.

Results

ALM16 remarkably reduced the GAG degradation and MMP levels in IL-1β treated SW1353 cells. ALM16 markedly decreased the thickness of the paw edema and writhing response in a dose-dependent manner in mice. In the MIA-induced OA rat model, ALM16 significantly reduced the PWT compared to the control group. In particular, from histological observations, ALM16 showed clear improvement of OA lesions, such as the loss of necrotic chondrocytes and cartilage erosion of more than 200 mg/kg b.w., comparable to or better than a positive drug control (JOINS™^, 200 mg/kg) in the cartilage of MIA-OA rats.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that ALM16 has a strong chondroprotective effect against the OA model in vitro and in vivo, likely attributed to its anti-inflammatory activity and inhibition of MMP production.

The Effects of Korea Red Ginseng on Inflammatory Cytokines and Apoptosis in Rat Model with Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis typically occurs in aging men, and its symptoms include frequent and painful urination. In recent study, several studies have shown that Korean red ginseng (KRG) can be used in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. The objective of this study is to investigate whether KRG can play a role in repressing the development of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) in male Wistar rats. To induce CNP, rats were castrated and beta-estradiol (0.25 mg/kg) was subcutaneously (s.c.) injected daily. 7-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (the normal group, CNP group, positive group, and KRG group (0.25g/kg) and another KRG (0.50g/kg) group. After 4 weeks, all rats were sacrificed and their prostate and serum were analyzed. Compared to the positive group, the KRG groups (0.25g/kg and 0.50g/kg) showed similar protective properties on CNP based on the histopathologic morphology of the prostate and the inflammation cytokines in the prostate tissue. Also, results of the immunohistochemistry staining showed that expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), interleukin 6 (IL6), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COX2) were also decreased in KRG group (0.25g/kg) and KRG group (0.50g/kg). These results suggested that KRG inhibited the development of CNP and might a useful herbal treatment or functional food for CNP.

Impressic acid from Acanthopanax koreanum, possesses matrix metalloproteinase-13 down-regulating capacity and protects cartilage destruction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Acanthopanax koreanum (Araliaceae) has been used in traditional medicine for enhancing vitality, rheumatism, and bone-related pains. But its activity on cartilage protection has not been known yet.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 has an important role in degrading cartilage materials under pathologic conditions such as arthritis. The present study was designed to find the inhibitory activity of impressic acid on MMP-13 expression and cartilage protective action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

70% ethanol extract of Acanthopanax koreanum leaves and impressic acid, a major constituent isolated from the same plant materials, were examined on MMP-13 down-regulating capacity in IL-1β-treated human chondrocyte cell line (SW1353) and rabbit cartilage explants.

RESULTS

In IL-1β-treated SW1353 cells, impressic acid significantly and concentration-dependently inhibited MMP-13 expression at 0.5-10μM. Impressic acid was found to be able to inhibit MMP-13 expression by blocking the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-1/-2 (STAT-1/-2) and activation of c-Jun and c-Fos among the cellular signaling pathways involved. Further, impressic acid was found to inhibit the expression of MMP-13 mRNA (47.7% inhibition at 10μM), glycosaminoglycan release (42.2% reduction at 10μM) and proteoglycan loss in IL-1-treated rabbit cartilage explants culture. In addition, a total of 21 lupane-type triterpenoids structurally-related to impressic acid were isolated from the same plant materials and their suppressive activities against MMP-13 expression were also examined. Among these derivatives, compounds 2, 3, 16, and 18 clearly down-regulated MMP-13 expression. However, impressic acid was more potent than these derivatives in down-regulating MMP-13 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Impressic acid, its related triterpenoids, and A. koreanum extract have potential as therapeutic agents to prevent cartilage degradation by inhibiting matrix protein degradation.