Anti-osteoarthritis Effects of the Combination of Boswellia serrata, Curcuma longa, and Terminalia chebula Extracts in Interleukin-1β-stimulated Human Articular Chondrocytes

• Published in: Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 79 - 87
• Main Authors: Kim, Hae Lim, Min, Daeun, Lee, Dong-Ryung, Lee, Sung-Kwon, Choi, Bong-Keun, Yang, Seung Hwan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 한의병리학회 25.04.2022
• Subjects: 한의학; Antioxidative activity; Curcuma longa extract; Boswellia serrata extract; Terminalia chebula fruit extract; Osteoarthritis; Cartilage degradation
• ISSN: 1738-7698; 2288-2529
• DOI: 10.15188/kjopp.2022.04.36.2.79

In this study, extracts of Boswellia serrata gum resin, Curcuma longa rhizome, and Terminalia chebula fruit were combined in different ratios, and their anti-osteoarthritis effects were compared to determine which combination had the best synergistic effect. B. serrata, C. longa, and T. chebula extracts in a 2:1:2 ratio exhibited higher antioxidative activity in scavenging DPPH radicals than did the individual extracts alone or the other extract combinations. Additionally, the 2:1:2 combination significantly improved the levels of enzymatic antioxidants and antioxidant-related proteins. Moreover, this same combination ratio decreased the protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 3 and MMP13 in interleukin-1β-stimulated human articular chondrocytes (HCHs) and increased those of aggrecan and collagen type II alpha 1 chain (COL2A1). Analysis of the underlying mechanisms revealed that the 2:1:2 combination significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65, extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Therefore, the 2:1:2 combination of these three plant extracts has the best potential for use as an effective dietary supplement for improving joint health compared with the individual extracts and their other combination ratios. KCI Citation Count: 0