The chondroprotective effects of ferulic acid on hydrogen peroxide-stimulated chondrocytes: inhibition of hydrogen peroxide-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinase gene expression at the mRNA level.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of ferulic acid (FA), an antioxidant from the Chinese herb Dong-Gui [Chinese angelica, Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels], on the regulation of various genes in hydrogen peroxide-stimulated porcine chondrocytes at the mRNA level.


METHODS
The effect of FA and the effective concentration of FA on porcine chondrocytes was evaluated by the lactate dehydrogenase, WST-1, crystal violet assay, and a chemical luminescence assay. Gene expression in hydrogen peroxide-stimulated chondrocytes either pre- or post-treated with FA was evaluated by real-time PCR.


RESULTS
Chondrocytes pre-treated with 40 microM FA decreased the hydrogen peroxide-induced interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and MMP-1 and partially restored SOX9 gene expression. Post-treatment with 40 microM FA also decreased the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-13.


CONCLUSIONS
FA decreased the hydrogen peroxide-induced IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, MMP-1 and MMP-13 and increased SOX9 gene expression. These findings suggest that FA may prove to be important in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Further research is needed.
Chen
M P
MP
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yang
S H
SH
Chou
C H
CH
Yang
K C
KC
Wu
C C
CC
Cheng
Y H
YH
Lin
Feng-Huei
FH
D029971:Angelica sinensis; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003373:Coumaric Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016877:Oxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003373:Coumaric Acids; D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D016877:Oxidants; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C004999:ferulic acid; C044613:angelicae sinensis extract; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases