Procyanidin B3 alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration via interaction with the TLR4/MD-2 complex

As a chronic musculoskeletal degeneration disease, intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) has been identified as a crucial cause for low back pain. This condition has a prevalence of 80% among adults without effective preventative therapy. Procyanidin B3 (Pro-B3) is a procyanidin dimer, which is widely present in the human diet and has multiple functions, such as preventing inflammation. But the inhibiting effect of Pro-B3 in IVDD development is still no known. Thus, our study aimed to demonstrate the therapeutical effect of Pro-B3 in IVDD and explain the underlying mechanism. In vitro studies, human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were isolated and exposed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate IVDD development. Pro-B3 pre-treatment inhibited LPS-induced production of inflammation correlated factors such as tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and Nitric oxide (NO). On the other hand, LPS-medicated extracellular matrix (ECM) breakdown was blocked in Pro-B3 treated NP cells. Additionally, Pro-B3 treatment blocked the activation of NF-κB/toll-like receptor 4 pathway in LPS-exposed NP cells. Mechanistically, Pro-B3 could occupy MD-2's hydrophobic pocket exhibiting high affinity for LPS to intervene LPS/TLR4/MD-2 complex formation. In vivo, Pro-B3 treatment prevented the loss of gelatin NP cells and structural damage of annulus fibrosus in rat IVDD model. In brief, Pro-B3 is considered to be a treatment agent for IVDD.