The Protective Effect of Luteolin in Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

Abstract

Glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (GIONFH) is a frequently occurring type of nontraumatic osteonecrosis. A failure of the timely treatment can eventually result in the collapse of the subchondral bone structure. Luteolin (Lut), a compound extracted from Rhizoma Drynariae, is reported to possess multiple pharmacological properties including anticancer, antioxidant, antiapoptosis, and antiinflammatory properties. However, whether Lut has a protective effect on the development of GIONFH remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Lut on Dexamethasone (Dex)-induced STAT1/caspase3 pathway in vitro and evaluated GIONFH model in vivo. In vitro, Lut inhibited the upregulation of Dex-induced phospho-STAT1, cleaved caspase9, and cleaved caspase3. In addition, Lut inhibited Dex-induced expression of Bax and cytochrome c and increased the expression of B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). In vivo, Lut decreased the proportion of empty lacunae in rats with GIONFH. Taken together, these findings indicate that Lut may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of GIONFH. Further, this effect might be achieved by suppressing mitochondrial apoptosis of osteoblasts via inhibition of STAT1 activity.

Metabolic Profiling Analysis of the Effect and Mechanism of Gushiling Capsule in Rabbits With Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

“…Histopathological examination is an important standard for the diagnosis of GIONFH ( Krenn et al, 2018 ; Crim et al, 2021 ). Based on the diagnostic criteria of GIONFH ( Yamamoto et al, 1997 ; Dong et al, 2015 ; Yan et al, 2020 ), we evaluated femoral head specimens of rabbits using H&E staining. In this study, none of the rabbits in the control group developed osteonecrosis.…”

Anti-Osteoporosis Effect of Perilla frutescens Leaf Hexane Fraction through Regulating Osteoclast and Osteoblast Differentiation

“…In addition, studies done on the active ingredients of PLH, luteolin and baicalin, have shown that luteolin can actually inhibit osteoclast differentiation and defense against bone loss, and help in the prevention of osteoporosis [ 72 ]. Luteolin also suppresses the mitochondrial apoptosis of osteoblasts via inhibition of STAT1 activity [ 73 ]. Moreover, baicalin was shown to be therapeutic for osteoclast-related bone diseases through the inhibition of the NF-κB and ERK pathways [ 74 ].…”

Tanshinone I Mitigates Steroid-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head and Activates the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Rats

“…Flavonoids are the major chemical constituents of many traditional herbal medicines, including Scutellaria baicalensis (Huangqin), Sophora flavescens (Kushen), Puerariae Lobatae Radix (Gegen), and Carthamus tinctorius (Hong Hua). Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that lots of flavonoids are effective to treat ONFH, including naringin [ 28 ], icariin [ 29 ], and luteolin [ 30 ]. TsI is one of the main active components in Danshen and its antiosteoclastic effect has been reported in in vitro experiments in earlier studies [ 23 , 24 ].…”