Abstract
BackgroundSpinacia oleracea is an important dietary vegetable in India and throughout the world and has many beneficial effects. It is cultivated globally. However, its effect on osteoarthritis that mainly targets the cartilage cells remains unknown. In this study we aimed to evaluate the anti-osteoarthritic and chondro-protective effects of SOE on chemically induced osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsOA was induced by intra-patellar injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) at the knee joint in rats. SOE was then given orally at 250 and 500 mg.kg− 1 day− 1 doses for 28 days to these rats. Anti-osteoarthritic potential of SOE was evaluated by micro-CT, mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory and chondrogenic genes, clinically relevant biomarker’s and behavioural experiments.ResultsIn vitro cell free and cell based assays indicated that SOE acts as a strong anti-oxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent. Histological analysis of knee joints at the end of the experiment by safranin-o and toluidine blue staining established its protective effect. Radiological data corroborated the findings with improvement in the joint space and irregularity of the articular and atrophied femoral condyles and tibial plateau. Micro-CT analysis of sub-chondral bone indicated that SOE had the ability to mitigate OA effects by increasing bone volume to tissue volume (BV/TV) which resulted in decrease of trabecular pattern factor (Tb.Pf) by more than 200%. SOE stimulated chondrogenic marker gene expression with reduction in pro-inflammatory markers. Purified compounds isolated from SOE exhibited increased Sox-9 and Col-II protein expression in articular chondrocytes. Serum and urine analysis indicated that SOE had the potential to down-regulate glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, clinical markers of osteoarthritis like cartilage oligometric matrix protein (COMP) and CTX-II. Overall, this led to a significant improvement in locomotion and balancing activity in rats as assessed by Open-field and Rota rod test.ConclusionOn the basis of in vitro and in vivo experiments performed with Spinacea oleracea extract we can deduce that SOE has the ability to alleviate the MIA induced deleterious effects.
Highlights
Spinacia oleracea is an important dietary vegetable in India and throughout the world and has many beneficial effects
Data in (Fig. 1a) shows that the Spinacia oleracea extract (SOE) concentration from 1.95 to 1000 μg/ml was safe for use and did not alter cells viability at any dose examined in this study
The monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) used in the present study to induced OA condition as MIA suppression of glyceraldehyde-3phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) that results in a reduction of glycolysis activity in the cartilage chondrocytes which further cause pathological structural/morphologic changes in articular cartilage
Summary
Spinacia oleracea is an important dietary vegetable in India and throughout the world and has many beneficial effects. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a high prevalence disease with socio-economic impact It afflicts mainly the weightbearing joints such as hips and knees, and causes physical disabilities. Cartilage degradation is associated with structural and metabolic changes in joints such as subchondral bone sclerosis and synovial membrane inflammation [4]. Biomechanical and biochemical interactions with subchondral bone and other joint tissues play important roles in maintaining homeostasis of articular cartilage [5]. Therapies that can cure osteoarthritis are still far from reach
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