Effect of Boswellia serrata Extracts on Degenerative Osteoarthritis in vitro and in vivo Models

Abstract

The inhibitory effects of Boswellia serrata (BW) extracts on degenerative osteoarthritis were investigated in primary-cultured rat cartilage cells and a monosodium-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. To identify the protective effects of BW extract against H2O2 (800 μM, 2 hr) in vitro, cell survival was measured by MTT assay. Cell survival after H2O2 treatment was elevated by BW extract at a concentration of 20 μg/mL. In addition, BW extract treatment significantly reduced and normalized the productions of pro-inflammatory factors, nuclear transcription factor κB, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 at a concentration of 20 μg/mL. Treatment of chondrocytes with BW extract significantly reduced 5-lipoxygenase activity and production of prostaglandin E2, especially at a concentration of 10∼20 μg/mL. For the in vivo animal study, osteoarthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of MIA into knee joints of rats. Consumption of a diet containing BW extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 35 days significantly inhibited the development and severity of osteoarthritis in rats. To determine the genetic expression of arthritic factors in articular cartilage, real-time PCR was applied to measure matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13), collagen type I, collagen type II, and aggrecan, and BW extract had protective effects at a concentration of 200 mg/kg. In conclusion, BW extract was able to inhibit articular cartilage degeneration by preventing extracellular matrix degradation and chondrocyte injury. One can consider that BW extract may be a potential therapeutic treatment for degenerative osteoarthritis.

Effect of Hijikia fusiforme extracts on degenerative osteoarthritis in vitro and in vivo models

“…Pro-inflammatory cytokines cause the expression of proteases such as collagenase, aggrecanase, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and then the activation of protease induces the degradation of the collagen matrix of cartilage and impairment of procollagen synthesis. In addition, pro-inflammatory cytokines plays an extremely important role in the development of inflammation by production of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) and NO [ 4 5 6 7 ].…”

Anti-Osteoarthritic Effects of a Mixture of Dried Pomegranate Concentrate Powder, Eucommiae Cortex, and Achyranthis Radix 5:4:1 (g/g) in a Surgically Induced Osteoarthritic Rabbit Model

“…In addition, the inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β contribute to OA progression. The inflammatory response results in swelling of the tissues surrounding the joints, in association with increased joint thickness, irregular bone growth, and osteophyte formation [66][67][68]. In the present study, OA-induced rabbits exhibited significantly increased knee thickness, decreases in AC thickness of the femur and tibia and the number of chondrocytes, significantly increased synovial TNF-α and IL-1β levels, and significantly higher numbers of femoral and tibial subchondral IL-1β and TNF-α-immunolabeled cells.…”

Effects of Pomegranate Concentrate Powder: Eucommiae Cortex: Achyranthis Radix 5:4:1 (w/w) Mixed Formula on Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats

“…The resulting acute inflammation induces edema in surrounding tissues, increases the joint thickness, and triggers the formation of abnormal osteophytes. 34 Additionally, in patients with OA, the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α promote ECM degradation by triggering the release of proteases such as MMPs. 35 The mRNA levels of collagen type II, aggrecan, and SOX9 in the femur and tibia of MIA control rats were significantly lower than those of intact vehicle control rats, and the mRNA levels of aggrecan and SOX9 were increased in SMs.…”