Baicalein Inhibits MMPs Expression via a MAPK-Dependent Mechanism in Chondrocytes

• Main Authors: Wei-Ping Chen, Yan Xiong, Peng-Fei Hu, Jia-Peng Bao, Li-Dong Wu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cell Physiol Biochem Press GmbH & Co KG 2015-05-01
• Series: Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry
• Subjects: Interleukin-1β Matrix metalloproteinase; Baicalein; Osteoarthritis; Chondrocytes
• Online Access: http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/374075

Background: Baicalein is a flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Here, we investigated the anti-osteoarthritic effect of baicalein in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)-induced chondrocytes were treated with different concentrations of baicalein, real-time PCR and ELISA were performed to detect the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression. Western blot was used to evaluate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression. In experimental osteoarthritis (OA), rabbits were treated with baicalein, gross morphological and histological assessment was performed to evaluate the cartilage damage. Results: Baicalein significantly reduced the expression of MMPs in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, baicalein significantly reduced the phosphorylation of p38 and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), but not of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In addition, intra-articular injection of baicalein ameliorated the cartilage damage in a rabbit model of OA induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). Conclusions: The results indicate that baicalein may be considered as a potential agent for OA treatment.