Specnuezhenide (Nuezhenide) is isolated from the fruit of Ligustrum lucidum. It inhibits NF-κB and wnt/β-catenin signaling, thereby suppressing IL-1β-induced chondrocyte inflammation. It exerts anti-inflammatory effects in a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS: Chondrocytes were pretreated with Specnuezhenide (Nuezhenide) (0, 10, 50, 100, 200 μM) for 1 hour and then incubated with IL-1β (5 ng / ml) for 24 hours. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of MMP3, MMP9, IL-6, iNOS, COX2, type II collagen and sox9; Chondrocytes were pretreated with SPN of Specnuezhenide (Nuezhenide) (0, 50, 100, 200 μM) for 1 hour and then incubated with IL-1β (5 ng / ml) for 48 hours. After harvesting the cells for protein blotting. The protein levels of MMP3, MMP9, IL-6, iNOS, COX2, type II collagen and sox9 were detected by Western blot.
RESULTS Specnuezhenide (Nuezhenide) treatment downregulated the expression of MMP3, MMP9, IL-6, iNOS and COX2; Specnuezhenide (Nuezhenide) treatment downregulated the expression of COX2. A significant decrease in the protein levels of MMP3, MMP9, IL-6 and iNOS was observed in the high concentration group (200 μM). A significant increase in the protein levels of collagen II and sox9 was observed only in the 200 μM Specnuezhenide (Nuezhenide) treatment group. [1]

METHODS: An OA model was established in SD rats by surgical transaction of ACL and MM. Rats in the Specnuezhenide (Nuezhenide) group were intra-articularly injected with 200μl Specnuezhenide (Nuezhenide) solution (200μM, 0.14mg/kg) every 7 days. Histological evaluation based on OASRI was used to evaluate the OA grade and observe the effect of Specnuezhenide (Nuezhenide) treatment on cartilage degeneration in OA rats.
RESULTS The average OARSI grade of the SPN group was 2.95, and the level of inflammatory factors in the Specnuezhenide (Nuezhenide) group was reduced. Specnuezhenide (Nuezhenide) treatment played a chondroprotective role in the OA rat model. [1]