Pinus densiflora Root Extract Attenuates Osteoarthritis Progression by Inhibiting Inflammation and Cartilage...

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint condition caused by an imbalance between cartilage synthesis and degradation, which disrupts joint homeostasis. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and joint-improving effects of Pinus densiflora root extract powder (PDREP) in both in vitro and in vivo OA models.

In an in vitro OA model, in which SW1353 human chondrosarcoma cells were treated with interleukin (IL)-1β, PDREP treatment significantly reduced the mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 while enhancing collagen type II alpha 1 (Col2a1) mRNA level, and decreased IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels. In addition, PDREP inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA rat model, the administration of PDREP resulted in decreased OA clinical indices, improved weight-bearing indices and gait patterns, reduced histological damage, and lowered serum inflammatory cytokine and MMPs expression. Furthermore, PDREP downregulated the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, p38, and NF-κB, as well as the expression of iNOS, consistent with the in vitro findings.

These results suggest that PDREP exhibits anti-inflammatory and joint-improving effects and has potential as a therapeutic strategy or functional food for the treatment of OA.