title: Achyranthes bidentate saponins protect rat articular chondrocytes against interleukin-1β-induced inflammation and apoptosis in vitro.
abstract: Achyranthes bidentate Blume (Niuxi) is often employed for treatment of arthritis in Traditional Chinese Medicine and possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies proved the oleanane-type saponins to be the main bioactive principles. In the present study, protective effects of A. bidentata saponins (ABS) on inflammation and apoptosis in interleukine-1β (IL-1β)-induced chondrocytes were investigated. Rat chondrocytes were pretreated with ABS at 3 μg/mL, 10 μg/mL, and 30 μg/mL, and subsequently stimulated with IL-1β (10 ng/mL). Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay and annexin V/propidium iodide dual staining demonstrated that ABS could protect IL-1β-induced chondrocyte injury. ABS suppressed IL-1β-induced apoptosis by suppressing the activation of caspase-3, inhibiting levels of proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bad, decreasing p53 protein phosphorylation, and promoting the expression of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xLand proliferating cell nuclear antigen. IL-1β-induced inflammation and matrix degradation were also alleviated by ABS through the downregulation of the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases 3 and 9 and cyclooxygenase-2. Moreover, ABS inhibited IL-1β-induced nuclear factor κB activation in rat chondrocytes. We demonstrated, for the first time, the protective effects of ABS on IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes and their molecular mechanisms. Thus, it is suggested that ABS might be a potential drug in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, China. Electronic address: xuxianxiang@163.com.
authors.forename: Xian-Xiang
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Diao
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Xiang
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D029044:Achyranthes / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012503:Saponins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051020:bcl-X Protein / Q000819:agonists / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; C494821:Bad protein, rat; C494828:Bax protein, rat; C494813:Bcl2l1 protein, rat; C000594089:IL1B protein, rat; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D012503:Saponins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein; D051020:bcl-X Protein; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C489691:Ptgs2 protein, rat; C505410:Casp3 protein, rat; D053148:Caspase 3; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; C572337:Mmp9 protein, rat
keywords: Achyranthes bidentata saponins; Apoptosis; Chondrocyte; Inflammation; Osteoarthritis