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Butin inhibits osteoarthritis progression by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and inhibiting NF-κB

Ping Zhou1,2, Jun Chang1,2, Xiaofei Wei1,2

  • 1Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230000, China.

Scientific Reports
|December 26, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Butin, a flavonoid, shows promise for osteoarthritis treatment by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. This study reveals its mechanism involves regulating the Nrf2/HO1/NF-κB pathway, improving chondrocyte health and slowing disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Current osteoarthritis treatments offer limited relief and lack safe, effective drug options.
  • Butin, a flavonoid, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, suggesting therapeutic potential.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms underlying Butin's effects in osteoarthritis remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate Butin's therapeutic role in alleviating osteoarthritis.
  • To elucidate Butin's mechanism of action on the Nrf2/HO1/NF-κB cellular antioxidant defense axis.
  • To assess Butin's impact on chondrocyte viability and cartilage extracellular matrix components.

Main Methods:

  • Cell viability assays (MTT, EdU, FCM) assessed Butin's effect on IL-1β-induced chondrocytes.
  • Western blotting (WB) analyzed the expression of Nrf2/HO1/NF-κB pathway proteins.
  • Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), ELISA, and FCM measured cartilage matrix proteins (Aggrecan, Collagen II, MMP13, ADAMTS5).

Main Results:

  • Butin significantly improved chondrocyte viability and reduced IL-1β-induced damage.
  • Butin treatment upregulated the Nrf2/HO1 antioxidant pathway.
  • Butin effectively downregulated NF-κB expression and mitigated cartilage degradation markers.

Conclusions:

  • Butin demonstrates significant potential as a therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis.
  • Butin alleviates osteoarthritis progression by modulating the Nrf2/HO1/NF-κB signaling pathway.
  • Butin's protective effects on chondrocytes and cartilage matrix highlight its therapeutic promise.

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