Suppressive Effect of the n‐Hexane Extract of Litsea japonica Fruit Flesh on Monosodium‐Iodoacetate‐Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats

Abstract

We examined the antiosteoarthritic effect of the n-hexane extract of Litsea japonica fruit flesh (LJF-HE) in a rat model of monosodium-iodoacetate- (MIA-) induced osteoarthritis. LJF-HE significantly reduced the difference in weight-bearing capabilities of the hind paws between healthy and MIA-treated rats. Histological examination of the knee joints indicated that LJF-HE suppressed cartilage and bone destruction. Additionally, there were decreases in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9 and cyclooxygenase-2 in the joints. The serum levels of deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and osteocalcin, which are markers of bone metabolism, also decreased. Furthermore, LJF-HE significantly suppressed infiltration of inflammatory cells into the synovium and inhibited the expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, interleukin- (IL-) 1, and IL-6 in the joints and serum. The serum levels of leukotriene B4 and lipoxygenase were also significantly lowered by LJF-HE. Finally, LJF-HE inhibited the production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, IL-6, and TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages, which might be associated with inhibited phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Our data suggest that LJF-HE has an anti-inflammatory effect and may have potential as an antiosteoarthritic agent.

Unraveling Natural Products’ Role in Osteoarthritis Management—An Overview

“…It must also be noted that high doses (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg) in the treatment groups resulted in a remarkable 80% inhibition of MMPs or MMPs tissue inhibitors threshold when compared to the respected control group [55]. Similar results were reported in the 2017 in vivo study, in which the n-hexane extract of Litsea japonica fruit flesh considerably reduced the difference in weight-bearing capabilities of the hind paws among healthy and MIA-treated rats, while cartilage and bone destruction were also hindered [56]. Additionally, this treatment actively attenuated MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2 expression, along with serum levels of deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and osteocalcin.…”

“…The qualities of Litsea (genus of the Laurel family, Lauraceae), mostly in the form of the ethanolic (EtOH) or hexane fragmentations of the plant, as an antioxidant agent with anti-inflammatory characteristics, have been evaluated, inter alia, within the setting of OA [52][53][54][55][56][57][58]. Data reported from in vitro research, investigating the anti-inflammatory assets of a variety of fractions (EtOH or other) of this plant within the context of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, suggest a considerable inhibitory activity of the intervention on modulators of inflammation (NO and PGE 2 , iNOS, and COX-2), expression levels, along with pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB (p65 and p50) activation, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation [52][53][54].…”

“…Moreover, this intervention considerably suppressed inflammatory cells' infiltration and attenuated TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 levels in joints. Accordingly, the intervention also lessened NO, PGE 2 , IL-6, and TNF-α production in LPS-activated macrophages, while serum concentrations of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and lipoxygenase (LOX) were also essentially lowered [56]. Finally, it must be noted that, in some cases, the curative assets of the extract/or extract fractions, evaluated in RAW 264.7 cell-line, have, in fact, been owed to the single action of isolated constituents, namely, litsenolide-B 2 , which has exhibited useful properties against pro-inflammatory mediators [57].…”

Anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoarthritis effect of Mollugo pentaphylla extract

“…After 1 week of acclimatization, the rats were divided randomly into six groups of 7 animals: (1) control group with saline injection, (2) MIA group with MIA injection, (3-5) MPE-treated group (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight) with MIA injection and (6) indomethacin (IM)-treated group (1 mg/ kg body weight) with MIA injection. The doses of MPE and IM used in this study were based on those used in previous studies (Kim SH et al 2017;Lee et al 2017). The MIA solution (3 mg/ 50 lL of 0.9% saline) was directly injected into the intra-articular space of the left knee.…”

Litsea japonica Leaf Extract Suppresses Proinflammatory Cytokine Production in Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts Stimulated with Oral Pathogenic Bacteria or Interleukin-1β

“…Moreover, to ascertain whether the effect of LJLE was preventive or therapeutic, we treated PDLFs with LJLE at the indicated concentrations 2 h before or after infection with LPS or F. nucleatum . The incubation time for the treatment was determined based on the findings of previous studies on the effect of L. japonica fruit extract [ 42 , 43 ].…”