Astilbin influences the progression of osteoarthritis in rats by down-regulation of PGE-2 expression via the NF-κB pathway

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, affecting most middle-aged and elderly people. Astilin (AST) is the main active ingredient isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Astilbe chinensis and has anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of AST on OA in rats mediated by papain.

Methods: In this study, in vivo experiments were conducted to investigate the protective effect and potential mechanism of Astilbin (AST) when it inhibited the development of osteoarthritis (OA).

Results: A rat model of OA is constructed. Through HE staining, it is found that AST can protect the articular surface and reduce damage. The results of immunohistochemical staining also prove that AST can inhibit the expression of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and has an excellent inhibitory effect on inflammatory factors. It is found that AST can significantly inhibit the protein expression of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), TNF-α, and NF-κB. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay shows that the mRNA of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB is down-regulated, which also proves that the protective mechanism of AST is related to the NF-κB pathway.

Conclusions: In general, this study proves that AST can be a potential therapy for degenerative joint diseases, including OA.

Keywords: Astilbin (AST); NF-κB signaling pathway; inflammatory cytokine; osteoarthritis (OA); prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).