Thymoquinone inhibits matrix metalloproteinase expression in rabbit chondrocytes and cartilage in experimental osteoarthritis.
Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main constituent of Nigella sativa oil, which has been traditionally used against arthritis in the Middle East. In this study, we investigated the effect of TQ against matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in both rabbit chondrocytes and animal mode of osteoarthritis (OA) induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection and tested whether or not nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was involved in this process. TQ down-regulated MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-13 expression and up-regulated tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 expression as assessed by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction. In addition, NF-κB p65 protein level as well as its translocation induced by interleukin-1β were inhibited by TQ. Our findings suggest the potential of TQ in the treatment of OA.
Department of Orthopedics Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, Jie Fang Road 88#, 310009 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Wei-Ping
WP
Chen
Jing-Li
JL
Tang
Jia-Peng
JP
Bao
Li-Dong
LD
Wu
D000818:Animals; D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000378:metabolism
D016227:Benzoquinones; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; C003466:thymoquinone