Bushenhuoxue Formula Facilitates Articular Cartilage Repair and Attenuates Matrix Degradation by Activation of TGF- Signaling Pathway

Overview

Journal Evid Based Complement Alternat Med

Specialty Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2018 Nov 8

PMID 30402118

Citations 6

Authors

Rui Dong

Jun Ying

Taotao Xu

Songfeng Hu

Peng Zhang

Chenjie Xia

Liang Fang

Hongting Jin

Pinger Wang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of Bushenhuoxue (BSHX) formula on articular cartilage repair.

Methods: Twenty-four full-thickness cartilage defect rats were divided into two groups: model group and BSHX group (treated with BSHX formula). Macroscopic observation and histopathological study were conducted after 4- and 8-week treatment. Additionally, we also evaluated chondrocyte proliferation, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, cartilage degradation, and chondrocyte hypertrophy-related genes expression in chondrogenic ATDC5 cells cultured in BSHX formula-mediated serum. Moreover, we assessed aforementioned genes expression and pSMAD2/3 protein level in Tgfr2 siRNA transfected chondrogenic ATDC5 cells in order to address whether BSHX formula exerts cartilage repairing effect through TGF- signaling.

Results: Neocartilage regeneration promotion effect was observed in cartilage defect rats after BSHX formula treatment, with increases in Col2 and pSMAD2 and decreases in Mmp13 and Runx2. Moreover, cell proliferation, the elevated Col2a1, Aggrecan and pSMAD2/3, reduced Mmp13, Adamts5, Col10a1, and Runx2 expression were also observed in chondrogenic ATDC5 cells cultured in BSHX formula-mediated serum. Besides, the expression alteration of ECM deposition, cartilage degradation, chondrocyte hypertrophy-related genes, and pSMAD2/3 protein levels presented in Tgfr2 downregulated chondrogenic ATDC5 cells couldn't be adjusted by BSHX formula treatment.

Conclusion: By activation of TGF- signaling, BSHX formula can promote articular cartilage repair by accelerating chondrocyte proliferation and maintaining chondrocyte phenotype, upregulate ECM accumulation, and inhibit matrix degradation.

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