Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides (ABPS) are the active components of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae (AB), which has been extensively used in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). Our previous study provided evidence that ABPS regulated the G1/S transition to promote chondrocyte proliferation. However, the precise mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of ABPS on the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway in chondrocytes. Chondrocytes, obtained from the knee cartilage of Sprague-Dawley rats, were identified by type II collagen immunohistochemistry. ABPS upregulated the expression of Wnt-4, Frizzled-2, β-catenin and cyclin D1, and downregulated the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β), as shown by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis. Using immunofluorescence, we also found that ABPS induced β-catenin nuclear translocation. Importantly, the expression of β-catenin and cyclin D1 was partly inhibited by Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In addition, we found that ABPS increased the expression of type II collagen in chondrocytes. These results suggest that ABPS promote chondrocyte proliferation by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Psoralen (PSO), the active ingredient of Fructus Psoraleae (FP) the dried ripe fruit of Psoralea corylifolia L., has been commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). We found that PSO activates cartilaginous cellular functions of rat chondrocytes in vitro. However, the effect of PSO on chondrocyte proliferation and the precise mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated. We investigated the effects of PSO on chondrocytes isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and evaluated involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The viability of chondrocytes treated with PSO was increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as assessed by MTT assay. We found that the gene expression and protein levels of Wnt-4, Frizzled-2, β-catenin and cyclin D1 in the PSO-treated chondrocytes were significantly upregulated, while the gene expression and protein level of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) were downregulated, compared with the untreated chondrocytes. By immunofluorescence, we also found that PSO induced β-catenin nuclear translocation. Importantly, the expression of β-catenin and cyclin D1 was partly inhibited by Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Additionally, Col-II expression in chondrocytes was increased after treatment with PSO. Taken together, these results indicate that PSO promotes chondrocyte proliferation by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and it may play an important role in the treatment of OA.
Chondrocyte apoptosis triggered by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Bushen Zhuangjin decoction (BZD) has been widely used in the treatment of OA. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effects of BZD on chondrocyte apoptosis remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the effects of BZD on ER stress-induced chondrocyte apoptosis using a chondrocyte in vitro model of OA. Chondrocytes obtained from the articular cartilage of the knee joints of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were detected by immunohistochemical staining for type II collagen. The ER stress-mediated apoptosis of tunicamycin (TM)-stimulated chondrocytes was detected using 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA). We found that 4-PBA inhibited TM-induced chondrocyte apoptosis, which confirmed the successful induction of chondrocyte apoptosis. BZD enhanced the viability of the TM-stimulated chondrocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as shown by MTT assay. The apoptotic rate and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) of the TM-stimulated chondrocytes treated with BZD was markedly decreased compared with those of chondrocytes not treated with BZD, as shown by 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, Annexin V-FITC binding assay and JC-1 assay. To further elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effects of BZD on TM-induced chondrocyte apoptosis mediated by ER stress, the mRNA and protein expression levels of binding immunoglobulin protein (Bip), X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1), activating transcription factor 4 (Atf4), C/EBP-homologous protein (Chop), caspase-9, caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis. In the TM-stimulated chondrocytes treated with BZD, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Bip, Atf4, Chop, caspase-9, caspase-3 and Bax were significantly decreased, whereas the mRNA and protein expression levels of Xbp1 and Bcl-2 were significantly increased compared with the TM-stimulated chondrocytes not treated with BZD. Additionally, all our findings demonstrated that there was no significant difference between the TM-stimulated chondrocytes treated with BZD and those treated with 4-PBA. Taken together, our results indicate that BZD inhibits TM-induced chondrocyte apoptosis mediated by ER stress. Thus, BZD may be a potential therapeutic agent for use in the treatment of OA.
Chondrocyte apoptosis activated by the mitochondrial-dependent signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the cartilage degeneration of osteoarthritis. Duhuo Jisheng decoction (DHJSD), a herbal formula from traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used for treating osteoarthritis (OA). However, the molecular mechanisms behind the therapeutic effect of DHJSD remain to be elucidated. In the present study, the effects of DHJSD on the mitochondrial-dependent signaling pathway in sodium nitroprussiate (SNP)-induced chondrocyte apoptosis were investigated. Chondrocytes, from the knee articular cartilage of Sprague Dawley rats, were identified by type II collagen immunohistochemistry. The chondrocytes, stimulated with or without SNP to induce apoptosis, were treated by DHJSD for various concentrations and times. The viability of SNP-induced chondrocytes treated with DHJSD was enhanced compared to SNP-induced chondrocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as assessed by the MTT assay. The apoptosis of SNP-induced chondrocytes treated by DHJSD was significantly decreased compared to SNP-induced chondrocyte, as shown by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. The mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm) of SNP-induced chondrocytes treated by DHJSD was significantly decreased compared to SNP-induced chondrocyte, as shown by JC-1 staining. To understand the mechanism, the mRNA and protein levels of Bax, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), caspase-9 and caspase-3 were detected by reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. In SNP-induced chondrocyte treated by DHJSD, the Bcl-2 expression was increased, whereas the expression of Bax, caspase-9 and caspase-3 was decreased compared to SNP-induced chondrocyte. Taken together, these results indicated that DHJSD inhibits the apoptosis of SNP-induced chondrocyte by the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway, and this may partly explain its therapeutic efficacy for OA.
The present study investigated the mechanism underlying the effects of glucosamine (GlcN) on the proliferation of chondrocytes isolated from the knee cartilage of Sprague-Dawley rats. Chondrocytes were treated with various concentrations of GlcN or without GlcN. The effects of GlcN on chondrocyte proliferation were determined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The results indicated that GlcN significantly improved chondrocyte viability, accelerated G1/S transition during progression of the cell cycle and promoted the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, including cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4 and CDK6, thus indicating that GlcN may promote chondrocyte proliferation. Furthermore, GlcN upregulated the expression levels of Wnt-4, Frizzled-2 and β-catenin, and downregulated the expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3. GlcN also promoted β-catenin translocation; β-catenin is able to activate numerous downstream target genes, including cyclin D1. To determine the role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in chondrocyte proliferation, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was inhibited using Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), after which chondrocytes were treated with GlcN. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of β-catenin and cyclin D1 were decreased in chondrocytes treated with DKK-1 and GlcN. These results suggested that GlcN may promote chondrocyte proliferation via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.