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Herbal Remedies as Potential in Cartilage Tissue Engineering: An Overview of New Therapeutic Approaches and
Constanze Buhrmann1, Ali Honarvar2, Mohsen Setayeshmehr2,3
1Musculoskeletal Research Group and Tumour Biology, Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Pettenkoferstrasse 11, D-80336 Munich, Germany.
Abstract:
It is estimated that by 2023, approximately 20% of the population of Western Europe and North America will suffer from a degenerative joint disease commonly known as osteoarthritis (OA). During the development of OA, pro-inflammatory cytokines are one of the major causes that drive the production of inflammatory mediators and thus of matrix-degrading enzymes. OA is a challenging disease for doctors due to the limitation of the joint cartilage's capacity to repair itself. Though new treatment approaches, in particular with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that integrate the tissue engineering (TE) of cartilage tissue, are promising, they are not only expensive but more often do not lead to the regeneration of joint cartilage. Therefore, there is an increasing need for novel, safe, and more effective alternatives to promote cartilage joint regeneration and TE. Indeed, naturally occurring phytochemical compounds (herbal remedies) have a great anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anabolic potential, and they have received much attention for the development of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including the prevention of age-related OA and cartilage TE. This paper summarizes recent research on herbal remedies and their chondroinductive and chondroprotective effects on cartilage and progenitor cells, and it also emphasizes the possibilities that exist in this research area, especially with regard to the nutritional support of cartilage regeneration and TE, which may not benefit from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Insights
Osteoarthritis (OA) affects millions, with current treatments like stem cells being costly and often ineffective. Herbal remedies show promise as safe, natural alternatives for cartilage regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Pharmacology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease affecting 20% of Western Europe and North America's population by 2023.
- Pro-inflammatory cytokines drive OA pathogenesis by promoting inflammatory mediators and matrix-degrading enzymes.
- Cartilage's limited self-repair capacity presents challenges for OA treatment, with current tissue engineering (TE) approaches like mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) being expensive and not always effective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore novel, safe, and effective alternatives for cartilage regeneration and OA treatment.
- To investigate the potential of phytochemical compounds (herbal remedies) in addressing OA and cartilage TE.
- To summarize research on the chondroinductive and chondroprotective effects of herbal remedies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on herbal remedies and their effects on cartilage and progenitor cells.
- Analysis of the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anabolic potential of phytochemicals.
- Evaluation of herbal remedies for nutritional support in cartilage regeneration and TE.
Main Results:
- Phytochemical compounds possess significant anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anabolic properties.
- Herbal remedies demonstrate chondroinductive and chondroprotective effects on cartilage and progenitor cells.
- Natural compounds offer a promising avenue for OA prevention and cartilage TE, potentially as an alternative to NSAIDs.
Conclusions:
- Herbal remedies represent a viable and promising therapeutic strategy for osteoarthritis and cartilage tissue engineering.
- Further research into phytochemicals can lead to the development of effective, natural treatments for joint health.
- Nutritional support through herbal remedies may enhance cartilage regeneration and TE, offering benefits beyond conventional treatments.
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