Evaluation of the novel avocado/soybean unsaponifiable Arthrocen to alter joint pain and inflammation in a rat model of osteoarthritis

Abstract

BackgroundAvocado/soybean unsaponifiables such as Arthrocen have been reported to reduce cartilage catabolism and chondrocytic synthesis of inflammatory mediators associated with osteoarthritis (OA). While there is some clinical evidence that avocado/soybean unsaponifiables can reduce OA pain, no preclinical studies have corroborated this observation. The present study determined whether addition of an avocado/soybean unsaponifiable (Arthrocen) to the drinking water of OA rats reduced direct and referred joint pain.MethodsOA was induced in male Wistar rats by intra-articular injection of sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA: 0.3mg) and animals were allowed to recover for 14 days. Arthrocen was added to the drinking water which was available to animals ad libitum. On day 30, joint pain was assessed by dynamic incapacitance while referred pain was determined by von Frey hair algesiometry.ResultsThe joint damage induced by MIA injection was severe and was consistent with end-stage OA. Arthrocen consumption (approximately 35 mg/day) attenuated the joint oedema associated with MIA injection. Hindlimb weight bearing also significantly improved in Arthrocen-treated rats (P<0.05); however, von Frey hair mechanosensitivity was unaffected by this treatment.ConclusionsThese data indicate that Arthrocen has the potential to reduce joint inflammation and pain associated with end-stage OA.

Avocado–Soybean Unsaponifiables: A Panoply of Potentialities to Be Exploited

“…However, it is not clear which one of these is better over another, but it is proven that the prolonged use of these drugs is known to have potent therapeutics fallouts, e.g., increases the risk of cardiovascular complications, kidney damage, and gastrointestinal problems [72,73]. Another class of analgesics used includes opioids that have been found to show great effectiveness, but they have also been reported to show cardiorespiratory complications and are known to develop tolerance [74]. This limited effectiveness of the above-mentioned drugs prescribed and the associated adverse effects has necessitated the deepening of the understanding regarding safer natural analgesic therapies.…”

Arthrocen, an avocado‐soy unsaponifiable agent, improves acetic acid‐induced colitis in rat by inhibition of NF‐kB signaling pathway

“…On day 6, the rats were sacrificed and surgery was done by dissecting the last 8 cm of the colon to collect tissue samples for further analysis. Doses of Arthrocen selected based on the previous study (Goudarzi et al., 2018).…”

Unraveling Natural Products’ Role in Osteoarthritis Management—An Overview

“…In the context of anticatabolic features of Avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (the oily extracts that remain after soap manufacture, which include phytosterols, lipophilic vitamins, and tri-terpenoids), the administration of the extract exhibited the potential to avert cartilage degradation by suppressive means over the expression and activity of biomarkers related to non-collagenous proteins, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-13), and increasing Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) [31]. Namely, the findings of animal studies conducted over the last decade indicate that intervention was able to reduce the joint edema resulting from Monosodium Iodoacetate (MIA) injection after 30 days of intervention (dose: 35 mg/day) [29,32], while, in treated dogs, researchers observed histological improvement of cartridge lesions and significant abatement in iNOS and MMP-13 levels [33]. Finally, the joint diameter was decreased in a moderate yet statistically significant way, and Hindlimb weight-bearing notably improved in the treatment group [29,32].…”

“…Namely, the findings of animal studies conducted over the last decade indicate that intervention was able to reduce the joint edema resulting from Monosodium Iodoacetate (MIA) injection after 30 days of intervention (dose: 35 mg/day) [29,32], while, in treated dogs, researchers observed histological improvement of cartridge lesions and significant abatement in iNOS and MMP-13 levels [33]. Finally, the joint diameter was decreased in a moderate yet statistically significant way, and Hindlimb weight-bearing notably improved in the treatment group [29,32]. The finding reflects the capacity of this treatment to temper painful OA in the in vivo setting, which is also observed via clinical trials that have been discussed further in this review.…”