Achyranthes bidentate saponins protect rat articular chondrocytes against interleukin-1β-induced inflammation and apoptosis in vitro

• Published in: The Kaohsiung journal of medical sciences 2017-02, Vol.33 (2), p.62-68
• Main Authors: Xu, Xian-Xiang, Zhang, Xiao-Hong, Diao, Yong, Huang, Yu-Xiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Achyranthes - chemistry; Achyranthes bidentata saponins; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - isolation & purification; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - pharmacology; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - drug effects; Apoptosis - genetics; bcl-2-Associated X Protein - antagonists & inhibitors; bcl-2-Associated X Protein - genetics; bcl-2-Associated X Protein - metabolism; bcl-Associated Death Protein - antagonists & inhibitors; bcl-Associated Death Protein - genetics; bcl-Associated Death Protein - metabolism; bcl-X Protein - agonists; bcl-X Protein - genetics; bcl-X Protein - metabolism; Cartilage, Articular - cytology; Cartilage, Articular - drug effects; Cartilage, Articular - metabolism; Caspase 3 - genetics; Caspase 3 - metabolism; Chondrocyte; Chondrocytes - cytology; Chondrocytes - drug effects; Chondrocytes - metabolism; Cyclooxygenase 2 - genetics; Cyclooxygenase 2 - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation; Inflammation; Inflammation - prevention & control; Interleukin-1beta - antagonists & inhibitors; Interleukin-1beta - pharmacology; Interleukins; Internal Medicine; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - metabolism; NF-kappa B - genetics; NF-kappa B - metabolism; Osteoarthritis; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Roots - chemistry; Primary Cell Culture; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen - genetics; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen - metabolism; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Saponins; Saponins - isolation & purification; Saponins - pharmacology; Signal Transduction; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - antagonists & inhibitors; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - genetics; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - metabolism
• ISSN: 1607-551X; 2410-8650
• DOI: 10.1016/j.kjms.2016.11.004

Abstract Achyranthes bidentate Blume (Niuxi) is often employed for treatment of arthritis in Traditional Chinese Medicine and possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies proved the oleanane-type saponins to be the main bioactive principles. In the present study, protective effects of A. bidentata saponins (ABS) on inflammation and apoptosis in interleukine-1β (IL-1β)-induced chondrocytes were investigated. Rat chondrocytes were pretreated with ABS at 3 μg/mL, 10 μg/mL, and 30 μg/mL, and subsequently stimulated with IL-1β (10 ng/mL). Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay and annexin V/propidium iodide dual staining demonstrated that ABS could protect IL-1β-induced chondrocyte injury. ABS suppressed IL-1β-induced apoptosis by suppressing the activation of caspase-3, inhibiting levels of proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bad, decreasing p53 protein phosphorylation, and promoting the expression of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. IL-1β-induced inflammation and matrix degradation were also alleviated by ABS through the downregulation of the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases 3 and 9 and cyclooxygenase-2. Moreover, ABS inhibited IL-1β-induced nuclear factor κB activation in rat chondrocytes. We demonstrated, for the first time, the protective effects of ABS on IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes and their molecular mechanisms. Thus, it is suggested that ABS might be a potential drug in the treatment of osteoarthritis.