title: Morus alba L. Stem Extract Attenuates Pain and Articular Cartilage Damage in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection-Induced Rat Model of Osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to investigate the anti-nociceptive effect of Morus alba stem extract as well as its cartilage protective effect in the anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)-induced rat model of osteoarthritis (OA).
  
  
  METHODS
  The anti-nociceptive effect of this plant extract was determined by measuring hind limb weight bearing, while the severity of cartilage damage to the knee joints was evaluated using the modified Mankin grading system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oral administration of M. alba stem extract (56 and 560 mg/kg) significantly attenuated joint pain as indicated by a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the values of percent weight borne on the operated hind limb for the OA-induced groups that received M. alba stem extract at 56 and 560 mg/kg when compared to those of the vehicle-treated OA-induced group. In addition, a significant improvement in the Mankin score was also observed in rats treated with 560 mg/kg M. alba stem extract, which was in agreement with its pain-relieving effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed that M. alba stem extract exhibited an anti-nociceptive effect as well as cartilage protection in the ACLT-induced rat model of OA, supporting its potential use as a therapeutic treatment for OA.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program in Toxicology, Multidisciplinary Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Arada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khunakornvichaya
authors.forename: Sujinna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lekmeechai
authors.forename: Phi Phuong
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.forename: Wanwisa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Himakoun
authors.forename: Tasana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pitaksuteepong
authors.forename: Noppawan Phumala
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Warinkarn
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hemstapat
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D031625:Morus; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018547:Plant Stems; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D010936:Plant Extracts