Therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of quercetin in a rat model of osteoarthritis

• Published in: Journal of international medical research Vol. 48; no. 3; p. 300060519873461
• Main Authors: Zhang, Jun, Yin, Jing, Zhao, Daohong, Wang, Chaoran, Zhang, Yuhao, Wang, Yingsong, Li, Tao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.03.2020; Sage Publications Ltd; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Animals; Arthritis; Interleukin-1beta - genetics; NF-kappa B - genetics; NF-kappa B - metabolism; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis - drug therapy; Pre-Clinical Research Report; Quercetin - pharmacology; Quercetin - therapeutic use; Rats; Rodents; Signal Transduction; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - genetics; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; quercetin; TLR-4/NF-κB; TNF-α; IL-1β; inflammation; Osteoarthritis
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060519873461

Objective To study the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of quercetin in a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA). Methods The OA rat model was established by intra-articular injection of papain. Changes in knee diameter, toe volume and histopathology were measured. Levels of interleukin (IL)-β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were assessed by ELISA. Relative expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) was evaluated by western blotting. Results Compared with rats treated with papain alone, changes in knee diameter, toe volume and Makin' s score were less apparent in OA rats treated with quercetin. Levels of serum IL-1β and TNF-α were also reduced in quercetin-treated OA rats. Expression of TLR-4 and NF-κB was significantly suppressed in a dose-dependent manner in quercetin-treated OA rats. Conclusion Quercetin exhibited a therapeutic effect in OA rats, which may be related to inhibition of IL-1β and TNF-α production via the TLR-4/NF-κB pathway.