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Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Osteoarthritis Pain Model Induced by Intra-Articular Injection of Mono-Iodoacetate in Rats
Published on: May 20, 2020
Protective Effects of Phellinus linteus Mycelium on the Development of Osteoarthritis after Monosodium Iodoacetate
Mi-Rae Shin1, Jin A Lee1, Min Ju Kim1
1Department of Herbology, Korean Medicine of College, Daegu Haany University, 136, Shinchendong-ro, Suseong-gu, Deagu 42158, Republic of Korea.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to identify the protective effects of Phellinus linteus mycelium (PLM) and its possible mechanisms in a model of monosodium iodoacetate- (MIA-) induced osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods:
Intra-articular injection of MIA was injected to 50 μL with 80 mg/mL using a 0.3 mL insulin syringe into the right knee joint. Changes in hindpaw weight-bearing distribution between the right (osteoarthritic) and left (contralateral control) legs were used as an index of joint discomfort. PLM (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered once daily for 14 days from day 7 after MIA treatment. And then, various factors associated with inflammatory response and cartilage degeneration in cartilage tissues detected by western blotting.
Results:
PLM treatment showed a concentration-dependent elevation in change in hindpaw weight-bearing distribution (HWBD). PLM200 demonstrated the capacity to significantly increase HWBD, indicating that the change in weight-bearing distribution means the reduction of spontaneous pain. Our results indicate that PLM suppressed the inflammatory factors via NF-κB signaling pathway induced by p38 phosporlyation. Moreover, PLM200 exhibited a significant reduction of ROS produced by the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. PLM100 and PLM200 inhibited the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, one of proteinase that degrades extracellular matrix (ECM).
Conclusions:
Taken together, our results indicated that PLM has a strong chondroprotective effect through the suppression both ROS production and inflammation.
Insights
Phellinus linteus mycelium (PLM) reduces osteoarthritis pain and protects cartilage. It suppresses inflammation and oxidative stress, offering a potential therapeutic for joint degeneration.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Biochemistry
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage breakdown and inflammation.
- Current OA treatments often manage symptoms but do not halt disease progression.
- Natural compounds are being investigated for their potential chondroprotective properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the protective effects of Phellinus linteus mycelium (PLM) in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA model.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of PLM's action, focusing on inflammation and cartilage degeneration pathways.
Main Methods:
- Osteoarthritis was induced in rat knee joints using intra-articular monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) injection.
- Hindpaw weight-bearing distribution (HWBD) was measured to assess joint discomfort and pain.
- Phellinus linteus mycelium (PLM) was administered orally at varying doses (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) for 14 days post-MIA induction.
- Western blotting was used to analyze inflammatory factors, signaling pathways (NF-κB, p38), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (NADPH oxidase), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 levels in cartilage tissues.
Main Results:
- PLM treatment demonstrated a dose-dependent improvement in hindpaw weight-bearing distribution, indicating pain reduction.
- PLM significantly suppressed inflammatory factors by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway activated by p38 phosphorylation.
- PLM administration, particularly at 200 mg/kg, markedly reduced ROS production mediated by NADPH oxidase.
- PLM (100 and 200 mg/kg) inhibited the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, an enzyme crucial for extracellular matrix degradation.
Conclusions:
- Phellinus linteus mycelium (PLM) exhibits significant chondroprotective effects in an experimental osteoarthritis model.
- PLM's therapeutic potential is attributed to its ability to suppress both oxidative stress (ROS production) and inflammation.
- These findings suggest PLM as a promising natural therapeutic agent for managing osteoarthritis.
