Articular cartilage degeneration and
inflammation are the hallmark of progressive
arthritis and is the leading cause of disability in 10-15% of middle aged individuals across the world. Cartilage and synovium are mainly degraded by either enzymatic or non-enzymatic ways.
Matrix metalloproteinases (
MMPs), hyaluronidases (HAases) and aggrecanases are the enzymatic mediators and inflammatory
cytokines and
reactive oxygen species being non-enzymatic mediators. In addition,
MMPs and HAases generated end-products act as
inflammation inducers via CD44 and TLR-4 receptors involved NF-κB pathway. Although several drugs have been used to treat
arthritis, numerous reports describe the side effects of these drugs that may turn fatal. On this account several medicinal plants and their isolated molecules have been involved in modern medicine strategies to fight against
arthritis. In view of this, the present study investigated the antiarthritic potentiality of
Crocin, a dietary colorant
carotenoid isolated from stigma of Crocus sativus.
Crocin effectively neutralized the augmented serum levels of enzymatic (
MMP-13,
MMP-3 and
MMP-9 and HAases) and non-enzymatic (TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB, IL-6, COX-2,
PGE(2) and ROS) inflammatory mediators. Further,
Crocin re-established the
arthritis altered
antioxidant status of the system (GSH, SOD, CAT and GST). It also protected the
bone resorption by inhibiting the elevated levels of bone joint
exoglycosidases,
cathepsin-D and
tartrate resistant
acid phosphatases. Taken together,
Crocin revitalized the
arthritis induced cartilage and bone deterioration along with
inflammation and oxidative damage that could be accredited to its
antioxidant nature. Thus,
Crocin could be an effective antiarthritic agent which can equally nullify the
arthritis associated secondary complication.