Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026

A Reproducible Cartilage Impact Model to Generate Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis in the Rabbit
Published on: November 21, 2023
Poricoic Acid A Attenuates Osteoarthritis Progression by Stabilizing PTEN and Suppressing PI3K/AKT Signaling
Yaoyu Zhang1, Meng Zheng1, Tingxuan Tang1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Abstract:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by chronic inflammation, and progressive cartilage degradation. Poricoic acid A (PAA), a triterpenoid compound derived from Poria cocos, exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities, but its therapeutic potential in OA remains unknown. Here, we investigated the protective effects and mechanisms of PAA in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes and a destabilization of a medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model. PAA significantly restored cartilage matrix synthesis, reduced inflammatory catabolism, and alleviated cartilage degeneration in vivo. RNA-seq identified PI3K/AKT signaling as a major pathway regulated by PAA. Mechanistically, PAA stabilized PTEN protein, suppressed PI3K/AKT phosphorylation, and reversed IL-1β-induced cartilage catabolism. PTEN inhibition abolished the beneficial effects of PAA. These findings identify PAA as a promising therapeutic candidate for OA and reveal PTEN-PI3K-AKT as its major regulatory axis.
Related Concept Videos
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
Among the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil (Revatio) stands out as a competitive and selective inhibitor. It operates by elevating cellular levels of cGMP and augmenting signaling through the cGMP-PKG pathway, promoting vasodilation. Upon oral...
Acid Suppressive Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Proton Pump Inhibitors
Gastric acid, a potent cocktail of hydrogen and chloride ions, is produced in specialized parietal cells within the...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway