Curcumin inhibits pro-inflammatory mediators and metalloproteinase-3 production by chondrocytes.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate the effects of curcumin (Cur) on the extracellular matrix protein metabolism of articular chondrocytes and on their production of inflammatory mediators.


METHODS
Human chondrocytes in alginate beads and human cartilage explants were cultured in the absence or in the presence of interleukin (IL)-1beta (10(-11) M) and with or without Cur (5-20 microM). Nitric oxide (NO) synthesis was measured by the Griess spectrophotometric method; prostaglandin (PG) E(2) by a specific radioimmunoassay; and IL-6, IL-8, aggrecan (Agg), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 by specific enzyme-amplified immunoassays. Proteoglycan degradation was evaluated by the release of (35)S-glycosaminoglycans (GAG) from human cartilage explants.


RESULTS
In alginate beads and cartilage explant models, Cur inhibited the basal and the IL-1beta-stimulated NO, PGE(2), IL-6, IL-8, and MMP-3 production by human chondrocytes in a concentration-dependent manner. The TIMP-1 and the Agg productions were not modified. In the basal condition, (35)S-GAG release from cartilage explants was decreased by Cur.


CONCLUSIONS
Curcumin was a potent inhibitor of the production of inflammatory and catabolic mediators by chondrocytes, suggesting that this natural compound could be efficient in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Mathy-Hartert
M
M
Institute of Pathology, CHU Sart-Tilman, Liège, Belgium. mmathy@ulg.ac.be
Jacquemond-Collet
I
I
Priem
F
F
Sanchez
C
C
Lambert
C
C
Henrotin
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000276:immunology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000276:immunology; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D003474:Curcumin; D015232:Dinoprostone