Effect of Alpinia oxyphylla extract in vitro and in a monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis rat model

Novel Sesquiterpenoids with Renoprotective Activities from the Fruits of Alpinae oxyphylla as Potent TGF-β1/Smads Phosphorylation Inhibitors

The fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq is an important food spice in southern China and has been used in the treatment of kidney disorders for centuries. In order to discover the natural products with potent renoprotective activities in A. oxyphylla and provide some references for its usage, systematic phytochemical studies were carried out and 24 new diverse sesquiterpenoids, including seven guaiane sesquiterpenoids (1-7), 10 eudesmane sesquiterpenoids (9-13, 18, 19, and 21-23), six cadinane sesquiterpenoids (31-35 and 38), and an eremophilane sesquiterpenoid (40), along with 24 known analogues were isolated and elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and quantum-chemical calculations. Biological evaluation showed that 6 sesquiterpenoids could significantly inhibit the expression of extracellular matrix components, α-SMA in TGF-β1 induced kidney proximal tubular cells (NRK-52e) at low concentrations, and 9 sesquiterpenoids could also downregulate fibronectin and collagen I in a concentration-dependent manner, showing their potential in renal fibrosis. Further action mechanism study displayed that TGF-β1/Smads pathway might be involved in the antifibrotic effects of active sesquiterpenoids 15 and 43. These studies suggest that A. oxyphylla may have a potential to serve as a functional food in preventing renal fibrosis-associated diseases.

Bone protective effect of sinomenine against monosodium iodoacetate induced knee and hip injury in rat model: an inflammatory pathway

PURPOSE

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease which is categorized via destruction of joint cartilage and it also affects the various joints, especially knees and hips. Sinomenine active phytoconstituents isolated from the stem of Sinomenium acutum and already proof anti-inflammatory effect against the arthritis model of rodent. In this experimental protocol, we scrutinized the anti-osteoarthritis effect of sinomenine against monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) induced OA in rats.

METHODS

MIA (3 mg/50 μL) was used for inducing the OA in the rats, and rats received the oral administration of sinomenine (2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg body weight) up to the end of the experimental study (four weeks). The body and organs weight were estimated. Aggrecan, C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II), glycosaminoglycans (GCGs), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), antioxidant, inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory mediators and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Sinomenine significantly (P < 0.001) boosted the body weight and reduced the heart weight, but the weight of spleen and kidney remain unchanged. Sinomenine significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the level of nitric oxide, MCP-1 and improved the level of aggrecan, IFN-γ and GCGs. Sinomenine remarkably upregulated the level of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and suppressed the level of malonaldehyde. It effectually modulated the level of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators and significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the level of MMPs, like MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 and 13.

CONCLUSIONS

Sinomenine is a beneficial active agent for the treatment of OA disease.

Chondroprotective effects of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae as an edible insect on osteoarthritis in mice

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic joint inflammatory disease characterized by progressive destruction of the articular cartilage, bone remodeling, and excessive chronic pain. Most therapeutic approaches do not rescue the progression of OA effectively or provide relief of symptoms. Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larva (PBSL), which is attracting attention, is an edible insect with very high nutritional value and herbal medicine for the treatment of blood stasis, hepatic disease, and various inflammatory diseases. However, the effect of PBSL on OA has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of PBSL water extract on the progression of OA using monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced mice and SW1353 chondrocytes or murine macrophages. We injected MIA into the intraarticular area of mice following pretreatment with either saline or PBSL (200 mg/kg) for 2 weeks, and then locomotor activity, microcomputed tomography and histopathological analysis, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis, and western blot analysis were performed. To determine the molecular effects of PBSL, we used interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced SW1353 chondrosarcoma or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Pretreatment with PBSL diminished the symptoms of OA. Physical activity, articular cartilage damage, and the generation of microfractures were rescued by pretreatment with PBSL in the mouse model. Pretreatment with PBSL suppressed the progress of OA through the regulation of articular cartilage degradation genes and inflammation in both in vivo and in vitro models. Our results demonstrated that PBSL has value as edible insect that can be used in the development of functional foods for OA.

The Effect of the Mixed Extract of Kalopanax pictus Nakai and Achyranthes japonica Nakai on the Improvement of Degenerative Osteoarthritis through Inflammation Inhibition in the Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Mouse Model

Osteoarthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease, and, due to the lack of fundamental treatment, the main objective is to alleviate pain and prevent cartilage damage. Kalopanax pictus Nakai and Achyranthes japonica Nakai are herbal plants known for their excellent anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study is to confirm the potential of a mixture extract of Kalopanax pictus Nakai and Achyranthes japonica Nakai as a functional raw material for improving osteoarthritis through anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages and MIA-induced arthritis experimental animals. In macrophages inflamed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), treatment of Kalopanax pictus Nakai and Achyranthes japonica Nakai mixture inhibits NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activities, thereby inhibiting inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), inflammatory factors PGE2, MMP-2, and MMP-9, and nitric oxide (NO) was reduced. In addition, in an animal model of arthritis induced by MIA (monosodium iodoacetate), administration of Kalopanax pictus Nakai and Achyranthes japonica Nakai mixture reduced blood levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, inflammatory factors prostaglandin E2(PGE2), matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2), and NO. Through these anti-inflammatory effects, MIA-induced pain reduction (recovery of clinical index, increase in weight bearing, and increase in area and width of the foot), recovery of meniscus damage, loss of cartilage tissue or inflammatory cells in tissue infiltration reduction, and recovery of the proteglycan layer were confirmed. Therefore, it is considered that Kalopanax pictus Nakai and Achyranthes japonica Nakai mixture has the potential as a functional raw material that promotes joint health.

Therapeutic Effect of Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Cervi Cornu Collagen NP-2007 and Potential for Application in Osteoarthritis Treatment

Cervi cornu extracts have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various disorders, including osteoporosis. However, since it is not easy to separate the active ingredients, limited research has been conducted on their functional properties. In this study, we extracted the low-molecular-weight (843 Da) collagen NP-2007 from cervi cornu by enzyme hydrolyzation to enhance absorption and evaluated the therapeutic effect in monosodium iodoacetate-induced rat osteoarthritis (OA) model. NP-2007 was orally administered at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for 21 days. We showed that the production of matrix metalloproteinase-2, -3, and -9, decreased after NP-2007 treatment. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and prostaglandin E2 were also reduced after treatment of NP-2007. Furthermore, the administration of NP-2007 resulted in effective preservation of both the synovial membrane and knee cartilage and significantly decreased the transformation of fibrous tissue. We verified that the treatment of NP-2007 significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in lipopolysaccharides-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by regulation of the NF-kB and MAPK signaling pathways. This study indicates that NP-2007 can alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis and can be applied as a novel treatment for OA treatment.

Immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of the extracts and secondary compounds of Zingiber and Alpinia species: a review

Zingiber and Alpinia species (family: Zingiberaceae) are popularly used in food as spices and flavoring agents and in ethnomedicine to heal numerous diseases, including immune-related disorders. However, their ethnomedicinal uses have not been sufficiently supported by scientific investigations. Numerous studies on the modulating effects of plants and their bioactive compounds on the different steps of the immune system have been documented. This review aimed to highlight up-to-date research findings and critically analyze the modulatory effects and mechanisms of the extracts and secondary compounds of several Zingiber and Alpinia species, namely, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Z. cassumunar Roxb., Z. zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Sm., Alpinia galanga Linn., A. conchigera Griff, A. katsumadai Hayata, A. oxyphylla Miq., A. officinarum Hance, A. zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt. et Smith, and A. purpurata (Viell.) K. Schum. on the immune system, particularly via the inflammation-related signaling pathways. The immunomodulating activities of the crude extracts of the plants have been reported, but the constituents contributing to the activities have mostly not been identified. Among the extracts, Z. officinale extracts were the most investigated for their in vitro, in vivo, and clinical effects on the immune system. Among the bioactive metabolites, 6-, 8-, and 10-gingerols, 6-shogaol, and zerumbone from Zingiber species and cardamomin, 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate, yakuchinone, rutin, 1,8-cineole, and lectin from Alpinia species have demonstrated strong immunomodulating effects. More experimental studies using cell and animal models of immune-related disorders are necessary to further understand the underlying mechanisms, together with elaborate preclinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, bioavailability, and toxicity studies. Many of these extracts and secondary metabolites are potential candidates for clinical development in immunomodulating agents or functional foods to prevent and treat chronic inflammatory disorders.

Siraitia grosvenorii Residual Extract Inhibits Inflammation in RAW264.7 Macrophages and Attenuates Osteoarthritis Progression in a Rat Model

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterised by cartilage degeneration and chondrocyte inflammation. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of the Siraitia grosvenorii residual extract (SGRE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro and its anti-osteoarthritic effects in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA rat model. SGRE dose-dependently decreased nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, SGRE reduced the pro-inflammatory mediator (cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)) and pro-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-(IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α)) levels. SGRE suppressed nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation in RAW264.7 macrophages, thus reducing inflammation. Rats were orally administered SGRE (150 or 200 mg/kg) or the positive control drug JOINS (20 mg/kg) 3 days before MIA injection, and once daily for 21 days thereafter. SGRE elevated the hind paw weight-bearing distribution, thus relieving pain. It also reduced inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory mediator (iNOS, COX-2, 5-LOX, PGE2, and LTB4) and cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) expression, downregulating cartilage-degrading enzymes, such as MMP-1, -2, -9, and -13. SGRE significantly reduced the SOX9 and extracellular matrix component (ACAN and COL2A1) levels. Therefore, SGRE is a potential therapeutic active agent against inflammation and OA.

Anti-arthritic effects of Schisandra chinensis extract in monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis rats

The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Schisandra chinensis (SC) extract on clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis and the modulating effect on the mechanisms associated with the progression of osteoarthritis in a rat model of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis-induced rats were randomized into four groups: MIA injection control (MC), MIA injection with celecoxib (PC), MIA injection with SC extract 100 mg/kg (SC100), and MIA injection with SC extract 200 mg/kg (SC200). Another healthy group received a saline injection as a negative control (NC). During the treatment, weight-bearing measurements were performed once a week for 4 weeks. Histopathological and biochemical analyses of the joints, blood, and chondrocyte tissue were performed following the completion of treatment. Compared with MC rats, SC rats demonstrated significantly alleviated pain behavior, bone erosion, and cartilage degradation. SC reduced serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases and pro-inflammatory cytokines. SC treatment also reversed the levels of biomarkers such as Collagen II and ADAMTS4 in the cartilage tissue. Moreover, SC administration inhibited the phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and NF-κB Inhibitor alpha. This study demonstrates that SC ameliorated osteoarthritis at in vivo level. Our results suggest that SC might be a potential therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis.

Jianpi Qingchang Bushen decoction improves inflammatory response and metabolic bone disorder in inflammatory bowel disease-induced bone loss

BACKGROUND

Bone loss and osteoporosis are commonly described as extra-intestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Jianpi Qingchang Bushen decoction (JQBD) is a prescription used in clinical practice. However, further studies are needed to determine whether JQBD regulates the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) (RANK)/receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)/ osteoprotegerin (OPG) pathways and could play a role in treating IBD-induced bone loss.

AIM

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of JQBD in IBD-induced bone loss and explore the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

An IBD-induced bone loss model was constructed by feeding 12 6-to-8-wk-old interleukin-10 (IL-10)-knockout mice with piroxicam for 10 d. The mice were randomly divided into model and JQBD groups. We used wild-type mice as a control. The JQBD group was administered the JQBD suspension for 2 wk by gavage, while the control and model groups were given normal saline at the corresponding time points. All mice were killed after the intervention. The effect of JQBD on body weight, disease activity index (DAI), and colon length was analyzed. Histopathological examination, colon ultrastructure observation, and micro-computed tomographic scanning of the lumbar vertebrae were performed. The gene expression of NF-κB, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in the colon was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Colon samples were assessed by Western blot for the expression of RANKL, OPG, RANK, and NF-κB proteins.

RESULTS

The model group lost body weight, had a shorter colon, and showed a dramatic increase in DAI score, whereas JQBD had protective and therapeutic effects. Treatment with JQBD significantly improved inflammatory cell infiltration and reduced crypt abscess and ulcer formation. Three-dimensional imaging of the vertebral centrum in the model group revealed a lower bone mass, loose trabeculae, and “rod-shaped” changes in the structure compared to the control group and JQBD groups. The bone volume/total volume ratio and bone mineral density were significantly lower in the model group than in the control group. JQBD intervention downregulated the NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 mRNA expression levels. The RANKL and OPG protein levels were also improved.

CONCLUSION

JQBD reduces inflammation of the colonic mucosa and inhibits activation of the RANK/ RANKL/OPG signaling pathway, thereby reducing osteoclast activation and bone resorption and improving bone metabolism.

Tangeretin suppresses osteoarthritis progression via the Nrf2/NF-κB and MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a globally prevalent degenerative disease characterized by extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and inflammation. Tangeretin is a natural flavonoid that has anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have not explored whether tangeretin modulates OA development.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to explore the potential effects and mechanism underlying the anti-OA properties of tangeretin.

STUDY DESIGN

Effects of tangeretin on OA were detected in chondrocytes and OA mouse model.

METHODS

Protective effects of tangeretin on murine articular chondrocytes treated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were evaluated using qPCR, western blot analysis, ELISA, ROS detection and immunofluorescent staining in vitro. Healing effect of tangeretin on cartilage degradation in mice was assessed through X-ray imaging, histopathological analysis, immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescent staining in vivo.

RESULTS

Tangeretin suppressed IL-1β-mediated inflammatory mediator secretion and degradation of ECM in chondrocytes. The results showed that tangeretin abrogated destabilized medial meniscus (DMM)-induced cartilage degradation in mice. Mechanistic studies showed that tangeretin suppressed OA development by downregulating activation of NF-κB by activating Nrf2/HO-1 axis and suppressing MAPK signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Tangeretin abrogates OA progression by inhibiting inflammation as well as ECM degradation in chondrocytes and animal models. Effects of tangeretin are mediated through Nrf2/NF-κB and the MAPK/NF-κB pathways. Thus, tangeretin is a potential therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis treatment.

Protective effect of ethanolic extract of Echinacea purpurea contained nanoparticles on meniscal/ligamentous injury induced osteoarthritis in obese male rats

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease associated with age, mechanical stress, and obesity. Echinacea purpurea is a medicinal plant that shows good anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. In this study, Echinacea purpurea ethanol extract nanoparticles (Nano-EE) were prepared by encapsulating Echinacea purpurea ethanol extract (EE) in chitosan-silica nanoparticles. Obesity (OB) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was induced by fed 40% high-fat diet and then anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus injury were performed to induce OA. The rats got different doses of samples by oral gavage. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of Nano-EE were 69.1% and 36.1%, respectively. The average size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ZP) of the Nano-EE were 145 ± 11 nm, 0.24 ± 0.01, − 4.57 ± 0.44 mV, respectively. Furthermore, electron microscopic images showed that the particles were spherical and were slightly agglomerated. Moreover, it showed that the leptin content, expression of MMPs, cytokines level, NF-κB level, and iNOS production were decreased whereas collagen II expression was increased after treatment. Besides, Nano-EE ameliorated the pain caused by OA and reduced the proteoglycan loss in cartilage. These results indicated that encapsulated EE (Nano-EE) can ameliorate OA with a low dosage and are more effective than unencapsulated EE.

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Schisandra chinensis Leaf Extracts and Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats and Acetic Acid-Induced Writhing in Mice

In this study, we aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Schisandra chinensis leaf extracts (SCLE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, an acetic acid-induced mouse model of writhing, and a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced rat model of osteoarthritis (OA). In LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, a 100 µg/mL dose of SCLE significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Acetic acid-induced writhing responses in mice that quantitatively determine pain were significantly inhibited by SCLE treatment. In addition, SCLE significantly decreased the MIA-induced elevation in OA symptoms, the expression levels of pro-inflammatory mediators/cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases, and cartilage damage in the serum and joint tissues. Our data demonstrated that SCLE exerts anti-osteoarthritic effects by regulating inflammation and pain and can be a useful therapeutic candidate against OA.

Network Pharmacology-Based Analysis on the Effects and Mechanism of the Wang-Bi Capsule for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

Wang-Bi capsule (WB) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-based herbal formula, and it has been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China for many years. Additionally, WB is also used as a supplement to the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) in clinical practice. Our research aimed to reveal the therapeutic effects and underling mechanism of WB on RA and OA through computational system pharmacology analysis and experimental study. Based on network pharmacology analysis, a total of 173 bioactive compounds interacted with 417 common gene targets related to WB, RA, and OA, which mainly involved the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. In addition, the serine-threonine protein kinase 1 (AKT1) might be a core gene protein for the action of WB, which was further emphasized by molecular docking. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of WB in vitro was confirmed by reducing NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. The anti-RA and OA effects of WB in vivo were confirmed by ameliorating the disease symptoms of collagen II-induced RA (CIA) and monosodium iodoacetate-induced OA (MIA) in rats, respectively. Furthermore, the role of the PI3K-Akt pathway in the action of WB was preliminarily verified by western blot analysis. In conclusion, our study elucidated that WB is a potentially effective strategy for the treatment of RA and OA, which might be achieved by regulating the PI3K-Akt pathway. It provides us with systematic insights into the effects and mechanism of WB on RA and OA.

Chondroprotective effect of Alpinia oxyphylla extract in experimentally induced cartilage degradation in rabbit articular cartilage explants

Alpinia oxyphylla is a widely used medicinal herb for diarrhea, gastralgia, tumors, hypertention, and cerebrovascular disorders. Here, we evaluated the chondroprotective effect of A. oxyphylla dried fruit ethanol extract (AOE) against cartilage degradation in rabbit articular cartilage explants. Treatment of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and plasminogen increased degraded collagen release in culture supernatants, but pretreatment of AOE (50, 100, 200 µg/ml) inhibited the collagen release in dose-dependent manner. To examine the mechanism of action of AOE on chondroprotection, the level of matrix metalloproteinases-3 (MMP-3), matrix metalloproteinases-13 (MMP-13), tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-1 (TIMP-1), and inflammatory mediators like prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂ ) and nitric oxide (NO) was evaluated. AOE inhibited upregulation of MMP-3 and MMP-13 and downregulation of TIMP-1 and also reduced increase of PGE₂ and NO level induced by exposure of IL-1α and plasminogen. These results indicate that AOE show chondroprotective effect through inhibiting collagen degradation via regulating MMPs, TIMP-1, and inflammatory mediators. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a one of the most common chronic disorders in elderly persons. Because the regenerative power of joint articular cartilage is very low, treatment of OA is difficult to expect complete recovery. Therefore, there is a need to develop a therapeutic agent that can safely and effectively inhibit the cartilage destruction. For the first time, we exhibited the inhibitory effect of AOE on collagen degradation through regulating MMPs and TIMP-1 in articular cartilage explants. These findings support AOE could be used as herbal therapeutic application for protecting articular cartilage to prevent OA.

Daphne mucronata enhances cell proliferation and protects human adipose stem cells against monosodium iodoacetate induced oxidative stress in vitro

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being used to treat many diseases as they exhibit great regenerative potential. However, MSC's transplantation sometimes does not yield the maximum regenerative outcome as they are unable to survive in inflammatory conditions. Several approaches including preconditioning are used to improve the survival rate of mesenchymal stem cells. One such recently reported approach is preconditioning MSCs with plant extracts. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Daphne mucronata extract on stressed human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs). Isolated hADMSCs were preconditioned with different concentrations of Daphne muconata extract and the protective, proliferative, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect was assessed through various assays and expression analysis of inflammatory markers regulated through NF-κB pathway. Results suggest that preconditioning hADMSCs with Daphne mucronata increased the cell viability, proliferative and protective potential of hADMSCs with a concomitant reduction in LDH, ROS and elevation in SOD activity. Moreover, both the ELISA and gene expression analysis demonstrated down regulations of inflammatory markers (IL1-β, TNF-α, p65, p50, MMP13) in Daphne mucronata preconditioned hADMSCs as compared to stress. This is the first study to report the use of MIA induced oxidative stress against hADMSC's and effect of Daphne mucronata on stressed hADMSCs. Results of these studies provided evidence that Daphne mucronata protects the hADMSCs during stress conditions by down regulating the inflammatory markers and hence increase the viability and proliferative potential of hADMSCs that is crucial for transplantation purposes.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Alpinia Oxyphylla Miquel extracts in animal models

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Alpinia Oxyphylla Miquel is a widely used traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of abdominal pain, intestinal disorders, enuresis, and inflammatory conditions.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study we aimed to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of Alpinia Oxyphylla Miquel extracts with 50% ethanol (AOE) in animal models.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The anti-inflammatory and nociceptive effects of AOE were estimated in vivo using a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model, an arachidonic acid-induced mice ear edema model, an acetic acid induced mice writhing test model, and an ex vivo sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) inhibition assay. In vitro inhibition assays for cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) were performed to determine the IC₅₀ of AOE.

RESULTS

Compared with the control, AOE caused a significant inhibition of paw edema, ear thickness, and abdominal constriction in animals. Compared with untreated explants exposed to interleukin-l alpha (IL-1α), preoteoglycan degradation by IL-1α was inhibited (18.2%-82.0%) in explants treated with AOE (50-400 μg/ml). In vitro, IC₅₀ values of AOE were 299.87, 199.07, and 170.29 μg/ml for COX-1, COX-2, and 5-LOX respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate the potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of AOE and suggest AOE to be useful for the treatment of osteoarthritis and/or associated symptoms.

The change of proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α level in the use of meloxicam in rat model of osteoarthritis

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease in the joints. One of the proinflammatory cytokines that is thought to have a major role in the inflammatory process, the emergence of pain, and cartilage damage in OA is tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug class of drugs that is relatively selective in inhibiting the activity of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) formation. This study is conducted to prove the change in TNF-α level in the use of meloxicam with model in animals suffering from OA. Methods The OA rat model was induced with sodium monoiodoacetate intra-articularly. Rats were divided into 5 groups: negative control group, positive control group, and treatment groups with various doses of meloxicam. Hyperalgesia effect was evaluated using a warm plate test, and TNF-α level was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The treatment groups that received meloxicam at a dose of 1.0, 3.0, or 10.0 mg/kg body weight (BW) did not show significant differences in rat knee joint diameter (p = 0.99), but showed a significant difference in sensitivity to heat stimulation (p = 0.02) compared to the control group. Osteoarthritis rats experienced a significant reduction in TNF-α level after being given meloxicam at a dose of 10 mg/kg BW compared with the control group. This shows that the 10 mg/kg BW of meloxicam is a potential dose in reducing the TNF-α level in OA rat models. Conclusions Based on these data, it can be concluded that the inhibition of pain and the development of OA by meloxicam in animal models may be assigned to a decreased level of TNF-α.