Abstract
Objective To investigate the effects of Danshen on the imaging and histological parameters, expression levels of ECM-associated proteins and inflammatory factors, and antioxidative activity in the degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD) of SD rats. Methods Sixty male rats were randomly divided into three groups (control, IDD, and Danshen IDD). Percutaneous needle puncture in Co8-9 intervertebral disc was conducted in all rats of the IDD and Danshen IDD groups to induce intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). After operation, animals of the Danshen IDD group were administrated with Danshen granules (3 g/kg body weight ) by gavage once a day. Four weeks later, the coccygeal vertebrae were harvested and used for imaging (disc height and MR signal), histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical [water content, glycosaminoglycans (GAG), superoxide dismutase (SOD2), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA)] analyses. Results The puncture induced significant decreased IVD space and MR T2 signal at both 2 and 4 weeks, which were attenuated by Danshen treatment. The disc degeneration in the IDD group (HE and Safranin O-Fast Green histological staining was markedly more serious compared with that in the control group. Four weeks of Danshen treatment significantly alleviated this degeneration compared with the IDD group. Needle puncture resulted in the upregulation of IL-1β and TNF-α, MMP-3, and downregulation of COL2 and aggrecan in the IDD group. However, this change was significantly weakened by Danshen treatment. Significantly lower water and GAG content, as well as the SOD2 and GSH levels, in the IDD group were found compared with those in the control group. However, the above parameters of the Danshen IDD group were significantly higher than those of the IDD group. Danshen treatment significantly decreased the content of MDA which was increased by needle puncture in the IDD group. Conclusion Danshen can attenuate intervertebral disc degeneration in SD rats by suppressing the oxidation reaction.
Highlights
With the aging of society, low back pain has become a common disease that plagues the physical and mental health of middle-aged and elderly people [1]
The rats in the Danshen Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) group were administrated with a certain amount of Danshen granules (3 g/kg body weight dissolved in distilled water) by gavage once a day over a 4-week period according to the dose used in previous reports [22]
In the Danshen IDD group, tissue swelling and height loss of the Intervertebral disc (IVD) were significantly alleviated compared to those in the IDD group. This finding indicated that Danshen treatment can protect the IVD from degeneration, which was further verified by the 4-week results and the subsequent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination
Summary
With the aging of society, low back pain has become a common disease that plagues the physical and mental health of middle-aged and elderly people [1]. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is believed to be one of the main causes of low back pain and its etiology is complex and multifactorial, including aging, mechanical stress, smoking, infection, trauma, and genetics [2]. Intervertebral disc (IVD) primarily contains three parts: nucleus pulposus (NP), annulus fibrosus (AF), and cartilage endplate (EP). The degenerated IVD shows a reduction in intervertebral height, the appearance of annulus fissures, the dysfunction of NPCs, the loss of ECM and water, and the calcification of the vertebral endplates, as well as increased production of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) [3].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
