Abstracto

Therapeutic potential of Astragalus membranaceus saponins in osteoarthritis through Inhibition of Cartilage Matrix Degradation

Su-Fen Huang, Ching-Hui Ou, Han-Wen Yang, I-Chu Tang, Wen-Liang Chang*, and Tsu-Chung Chang

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerate joint disease that is characterized by the breakdown of articular cartilage Extracellular Matrix (ECM). Inflammation is a key factor in the development of OA, leading to increased levels of Matrix Metallo Proteinases (MMPs) and destruction of collagen II. A potential therapy for OA would aim to restore ECM production in chondrocytes and prevent cartilage degradation. Astragalus, a traditional Chinese medicine used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, was investigated in this study for its ability to protect cartilage chondrocytes. Here, the herbal preparation of Astragalus Membranaceus Saponins (AMS) was found to have no apparent toxicity to human chondrocytes and chondrosarcoma cells. AMS significantly increased the uptake of glucosamine, Hyaluronic Acid (HA), and proline in primary human chondrocytes. Using IL-1β-induced in vitro OA model, AMS effectively countered the inflammatory challenge induced by IL-1β in HCH cells by enhancing collagen II synthesis. Furthermore, AMS significantly inhibited the inflammation-induced MMPs expression and proteolytic activities, thereby protecting cartilage ECM from degradation. Overall, the beneficial effects of AMS on MMP, collagen, and HA expression levels in chondrocytes indicate its potential as a therapeutic candidate in preventing cartilage degeneration and joint tissue disorders