Shao-Yang-Xi-Bi-Fang Inhibits Chondrocyte Injury and Inflammation in a Rat Model of Osteoarthritis
In the present study, we have examined the protective role and mechanism of Shao-Yang-Xi-Bi-Fang on osteoarthritis induced chondrocyte injury. We observed (a) upregulation of the expression of miR-15a-5p that was positively associated with cell apoptosis and (b) downregulation of protein kinase B protein and mRNA expression in osteoarthritic tissues. Further studies showed that 3'-untranslated regions of the protein kinase B mRNA were the direct target of the miR-15a-5p. The downregulation of the miR-15a-5p led to upregulation of the protein kinase B and mammalian target of rapamycin expression. The Shao-Yang-Xi-Bi-Fang improved the morphological changes, inhibited cell apoptosis, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β in knee osteoarthritis rat model by inducing cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. Taken together, the Shao-Yang-Xi-Bi-Fang inhibited chondrocyte injury and inflammation in a rat model of osteoarthritis via targeting the miR-15a-5p/protein kinase B pathway, providing a new possible therapeutic regimen to osteoarthritis.