Cheng Wendan, Jing Juehua, Wang Zhen, Wu Dongying, Huang Yumin
Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 678 Furong Road, Hefei 230601, China.
Department of Orthopedics, Lu'an People's Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Lu'an 237000, China.
Nutrients. 2017 Mar 10;9(3):263. doi: 10.3390/nu9030263.
This study aimed to assess whether Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) inhibits inflammatory responses in human chondrocytes and reduces articular cartilage damage in a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA). Gene expression and protein levels of type II collagen, aggrecan, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were determined in vitro by quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) amounts in the culture medium were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For in vivo assessment, a rat model of OA was generated by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). Four weeks after ACLT, Rg1 (30 or 60 mg/kg) or saline was administered by gavage once a day for eight consecutive weeks. Joint damage was analyzed by histology and immunohistochemistry. Ginsenoside Rg1 inhibited Interleukin (IL)-1β-induced chondrocyte gene and protein expressions of MMP-13, COX-2 and PGE2, and prevented type II collagen and aggrecan degradation, in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of Ginsenoside Rg1 to OA rats attenuated cartilage degeneration, and reduced type II collagen loss and MMP-13 levels. These findings demonstrated that Ginsenoside Rg1 can inhibit inflammatory responses in human chondrocytes in vitro and reduce articular cartilage damage in vivo, confirming the potential therapeutic value of Ginsenoside Rg1 in OA.
本研究旨在评估人参皂苷Rg1（Rg1）是否能抑制人软骨细胞中的炎症反应，并减轻骨关节炎（OA）大鼠模型中的关节软骨损伤。通过定量实时聚合酶链反应和蛋白质印迹法在体外测定II型胶原蛋白、聚集蛋白聚糖、基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）-13和环氧化酶-2（COX-2）的基因表达和蛋白质水平。通过酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）测定培养基中前列腺素E2（PGE2）的含量。为了进行体内评估，通过前交叉韧带横断术（ACLT）建立OA大鼠模型。ACLT术后四周，连续八周每天一次通过灌胃给予Rg1（30或60mg/kg）或生理盐水。通过组织学和免疫组织化学分析关节损伤情况。人参皂苷Rg1以剂量依赖性方式抑制白细胞介素（IL）-1β诱导的软骨细胞中MMP-13、COX-2和PGE2的基因和蛋白质表达，并防止II型胶原蛋白和聚集蛋白聚糖降解。给OA大鼠施用人参皂苷Rg1可减轻软骨退变，并减少II型胶原蛋白损失和MMP-13水平。这些发现表明，人参皂苷Rg1在体外可抑制人软骨细胞中的炎症反应，在体内可减轻关节软骨损伤，证实了人参皂苷Rg1在OA中的潜在治疗价值。
