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Effect of Dietary Polyphenols on Osteoarthritis-Molecular Mechanisms
1Department of Orthopaedics, University Medical Centre Maribor, Ljubljanska Street 5, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
Abstract:
Osteoarthritis is a common crippling and degenerative disease resulting in irreversible functional changes due to damage of the cartilage and other tissues of the joint. With limited safe and effective pharmaceutical treatments, the demand and use for alternative therapeutic approaches with symptomatic relief for OA patients have increased. Clinical, pre-clinical, and in vitro studies have demonstrated that polyphenols can exert pain-relieving symptoms coupled with increased functional capacity in OA models. This review will highlight studies carried out in the last five years to define the efficacies and underlying mechanisms in polyphenols such as quercetin, resveratrol, curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, rosmarinic acid, genistein, ginger, berries, silver fir, pine bark, and Boswellia. Most of these studies indicate that polyphenols exhibit their beneficial roles through regulating changes at the biochemical and molecular levels, inducing or inhibiting various signaling pathways related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Polyphenols have also been implicated in modulating microRNA at the posttranscriptional level to counteract OA pathogenesis.
Insights
Polyphenols show promise in managing osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms by reducing pain and improving function. These natural compounds work by targeting inflammation and oxidative stress at a molecular level.
Area of Science:
- * Nutritional Science
- * Biochemistry
- * Pharmacology
Background:
- * Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating degenerative joint disease with limited pharmaceutical treatment options.
- * Patient demand for alternative therapies with symptomatic relief is increasing.
- * Polyphenols have demonstrated potential in managing OA symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To review recent studies (last five years) on the efficacy of polyphenols in osteoarthritis.
- * To elucidate the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms of polyphenol action in OA.
- * To highlight specific polyphenols and their therapeutic potential.
Main Methods:
- * Comprehensive literature review of clinical, pre-clinical, and in vitro studies.
- * Analysis of studies focusing on polyphenols like quercetin, resveratrol, curcumin, and others.
- * Examination of research investigating molecular pathways and microRNA modulation.
Main Results:
- * Polyphenols demonstrate significant pain-relieving effects and improved functional capacity in OA models.
- * Beneficial effects are mediated by regulating biochemical and molecular changes.
- * Polyphenols modulate signaling pathways involved in inflammation and oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
- * Polyphenols represent a promising therapeutic avenue for osteoarthritis management.
- * Their mechanisms involve intricate regulation of molecular pathways and inflammation.
- * Further research into polyphenol-based interventions for OA is warranted.

