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Andrographolide Inhibits Static Mechanical Pressure-Induced Intervertebral Disc Degeneration via the MAPK/Nrf2/HO-1
Cunxin Zhang1,2, Ziang Lu3, Chaoliang Lyu2
1Department of Spine Surgery, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266061, People's Republic of China.
Purpose:
To explore the molecular mechanism by which andrographolide (ADR) inhibits static mechanical pressure-induced apoptosis in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and to assess the role of ADR in inhibiting IDD.
Methods:
Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), toluidine blue, and immunofluorescence staining were used to identify NPCs. An NPC apoptosis model was constructed using a homemade cell pressurization device. The proliferation activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, and apoptosis rate were detected using kits. The expression of related proteins was detected using Western blot. A rat tailbone IDD model was constructed using a homemade tailbone stress device. HE staining and safranine O-fast green FCF cartilage staining were used to observe the degeneration degree of the intervertebral disk.
Results:
ADR inhibits static mechanical pressure-induced apoptosis and ROS accumulation in NPCs and improves cell viability. ADR can promote the expression of Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), p-Nrf2, p-p38, p-Erk1/2, p-JNK, and other proteins, and its effects can be blocked by inhibitors of the above proteins.
Conclusion:
ADR can inhibit IDD by activating the MAPK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and suppressing static mechanical pressure-induced ROS accumulation in the NPCs.
