title: SKI306X inhibition of glycosaminoglycan degradation in human cartilage involves down-regulation of cytokine-induced catabolic genes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  SKI306X, a mixed extract of three herbs, Clematis mandshurica (CM), Prunella vulgaris (PV), and Trichosanthes kirilowii (TK), is chondroprotective in animal models of osteoarthritis (OA). The objectives of this study were to investigate its effect on interleukin (IL)-1β-induced degradation of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and the basis of its action in human OA cartilage, as well as to screen for the presence of inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 and a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-4 in SKI306X and its component herbs, as well as in fractions from SKI306X.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human OA chondrocytes and cartilage explants were obtained during total knee replacements and incubated with IL-1β ± oncostatin M with or without SKI306X or its component herb extracts. GAG degradation was assayed in cartilage explants using a commercial kit. Expression of genes involved in cartilage destruction was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction using chondrocyte RNA. SKI306X was fractionated by preparative liquid chromatography to test for the presence of inhibitors of MMP-13 and ADAMTS-4.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SKI306X and PV inhibited IL-1β-induced GAG release from cartilage explants, and SKI306X, CM, PV, and TK inhibited IL-1β-induced MMP gene expression. Unexpectedly, SKI306X greatly stimulated IL-1β + oncostatin M-induced ADAMTS-4 gene expression, probably due to its TK component. Some fractions of SKI306X also inhibited ADAMTS-4 activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SKI306X and its herbal components inhibit GAG degradation and catabolic gene expression in human OA chondrocytes and cartilage explants. SKI306X likely also contains one or more ADAMTS-4 inhibitor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery for Rheumatism, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Choong Hyeok
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Hwan
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon-Kyoung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chan-Bum
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Rheumatism, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-In
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Na
authors.affiliation: Life Science R&D Center, SK Chemicals, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Hunseung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Bum
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Jun
mesh_terms: D051722:ADAM Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000071121:ADAMTS4 Protein; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / Q000378:metabolism; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D053683:Oncostatin M / Q000378:metabolism; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011348:Procollagen N-Endopeptidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; C508351:OSM protein, human; C460104:SKI 306X; D053683:Oncostatin M; D051722:ADAM Proteins; C507079:MMP13 protein, human; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; D011348:Procollagen N-Endopeptidase; D000071121:ADAMTS4 Protein; C000603918:ADAMTS4 protein, human
keywords: Aggrecanase; Cartilage; Matrix metalloproteinase; Osteoarthritis; SKI306X