Zhuanggu Guanjie herbal formula mitigates osteoarthritis via NF-κB transduction mechanism in vitro

Abstract

BackgroundZhuanggu Guanjie herbal formula, a famous Chinese prescription, which is commonly applied for mitigating bone-related problems, clinically. According to the China Pharmacopeia (CP, 2020), this herbal formula includes 12 raw materials, and the major components are Rehmanniae Radix (RR) and Psoraleae Fructus (PF). The anti-osteoarthritis properties of this herbal prescription are well-documented in CP (2020). However, the working mechanism of this ancient herbal formula has not been elucidated. Therefore, we would like to probe the anti-osteoarthritis pharmaceutical values of this ancient herbal prescription.Materials and methodsThe differentiated ATDC5 cells were employed in the following experiments. In the present study, the involvements of cytokine levels and hallmark proteins reflecting inflammatory responses in Zhuanggu Guanjie Capsule (ZGC)-induced differentiated cells were detected by RT-PCR, flow cytometer, western blot and laser confocal assays.ResultsThe cytokines and inflammation-specific proteins, i.e. interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin synthesis E2 (PGES-2) were robustly declined after incubating with ZGC for 48 hours, and the attenuation levels were in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, ZGC could also block NF-B translocation from cytosol to nucleus and which has been verified by the laser confocal microscope.ConclusionsThe in vitro studies have clarified the anti-osteoarthritis properties of ZGC and the working mechanism involved, and this herbal formula shed light on osteoarthritis treatment.