An in vitro and in vivo study: Valencene protects cartilage and alleviates the progression of osteoarthritis by anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a heterogeneous disease involving the whole joint. The pathogenesis involves oxidative stress levels and chronic inflammation, and Valencene (VA) has excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant stress abilities.

PURPOSE:

The objective was to study the effects of VA therapy on combating oxidative stress and to evaluate the protective effect of chondrocytes to alleviate the progression of OA.

METHODS:

C57BL6J mouse chondrocytes were used as the primary cells in this study. Mouse chondrocytes were stimulated with IL-1β, and VA was administered in different concentrations. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay kits, western blotting, cellular immunofluorescence, and scanning microscopy were used to evaluate VA's antioxidant stress mechanism, anti-inflammatory effect, and cartilage protective ability. The mouse arthritis model constructed by destabilization of medial meniscus (DMM) was observed by micro-CT scan and histology after different treatments.

RESULTS:

We found that VA can reverse the rise of ROS under IL-1β, the degeneration of the cartilage extracellular matrix, and the production of inflammatory mediators. In terms of mechanism, VA activated NRF2/HO-1/NQO1 pathway, thus enhancing ROS clearance. The phosphorylation of IκBα is inhibited, which further reduces the downstream phosphorylation of P65 in nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling. In addition, VA inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling molecules P-JNK, P-ERK, and P-P38, inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators and thus inhibiting Aggrecan and Collagen Type II （COL2）degeneration. In vivo, VA reduced DMM-induced osteophytes and spurs, suppressed subchondral bone destruction, and reduced articular cartilage erosion.

CONCLUSION:

Our study demonstrated that VA is an effective candidate for OA treatment.

• Authors: Sheng Chen, Chen Meng, Yi He, Hanqing Xu, Yunkun Qu, Yingguang Wang, Yunhui Fan, Xiaojian Huang, Hongbo You
• Journal: International immunopharmacology (Int Immunopharmacol) Vol. 123 Pg. 110726 (Oct 2023) ISSN: 1878-1705 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 37536183 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Chemical References

• valencene
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• Antioxidants
• NF-kappa B
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Inflammation Mediators
• Interleukin-1beta

Topics

• Mice
• Animals
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)
• Antioxidants (pharmacology)
• Osteoarthritis (metabolism)
• Chondrocytes
• NF-kappa B (metabolism)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use, metabolism)
• Oxidative Stress
• Menisci, Tibial (pathology)
• Inflammation Mediators (metabolism)
• Interleukin-1beta (metabolism)
• Cells, Cultured