Collagenase and Sodium Iodoacetate-Induced Experimental Osteoarthritis Model in Sprague Dawley Rats

Protective effect of a novel polyherbal formulation on experimentally induced osteoarthritis in a rat model

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a musculoskeletal disorder mainly found in elderly individuals. Modern treatment of OA, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid injections, etc., is linked to long-term side effects. We evaluated the anti-osteoarthritic properties of a novel joint health formula (JHF) containing Bisdemethoxycurcumin enriched curcumin, 3-O-Acetyl-11-keto-beta-Boswellic acid-enriched Boswellia, and Ashwagandha in monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee OA in rats. Twenty-eight female rats were distributed into four groups: Control, OA, OA + JHF (100 mg/kg), and OA + JHF (200 mg/kg). JHF decreased the right joint diameters but increased the paw area and stride length compared to the OA group with no treatment. JHF significantly reduced the arthritic conditions after four weeks of supplementation (p < 0.05). JHF significantly decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, COMP, and CRP in the serum of osteoarthritic rats (p < 0.0001). We observed reduced lipid peroxidation but increased SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activities in response to JHF treatment in OA animals. JHF down-regulated MMP-3, COX-2, and LOX-5 and improved the histological structure of the knee joint of osteoarthritic rats. JHF demonstrated a protective effect against osteoarthritis, possibly due to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in experimentally induced osteoarthritis in rats, and could be an effective option in the management of OA.

Solanum xanthocarpum fruit extract promotes chondrocyte proliferation in vitro and protects cartilage damage in collagenase induced osteoarthritic rats (article reference number: JEP 114028)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease, is characterized by cartilage erosion and matrix degradation. Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. fruits (SXF) and leaves have long been used as folk remedy in the treatment of pain in rheumatism.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was aimed to investigate the phytochemical components and protective benefits of SXF on in vitro chondrocytes proliferation, and in vivo suppression of collagenase-induced OA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phytochemical components in ethanolic SXF extract were evaluated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Effect of SXF on in vitro cell proliferation of primary chondrocytes was determined by cell proliferation assay and cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry. OA was induced in the right knees of rats through intra-articular injection of collagenase type-II. To evaluate in vivo preventive function of SXF, body weight, blood ALP, histopathological changes in the knee joint, proteoglycan, and collagen content were determined. The mRNA expression of COL-2, MMP-3 and COX-2 genes through qRT-PCR was studied. Antioxidant activities, total phenolics and flavonoid contents of SXF were also examined.

RESULTS

GC-MS analysis revealed that SXF constitutes 28 phytochemicals including flavonoids (3-methoxy apigenin, quercetin, luteolin), tannin (quinic acid), terpenes (oleanolic acid, lupeol, psi.psi carotene), phytosterols (campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol), and ascorbic acid. In vitro studies demonstrated that SXF enhanced the cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and has no cytotoxic effect on primary chondrocytes. In vivo study suggests that SXF protects the cartilage destruction induced by collagenase. The histological study revealed that SXF restored the synthesis of collagen and proteoglycan, vital factors for cartilage restoration, and reduced the arthritic score. An up-regulation in COL-2 expression and suppression of MMP-3 and COX-2 were detected by qRT-PCR analysis. Thus, in vivo study suggests the protective effects of SXF on cartilage destruction induced by collagenase.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results imply that SXF benefits and ameliorates OA by enhancing the chondrocytes proliferation and preventing the articular cartilage damage through the restoration of their structural molecules, arthritic score reduction, suppression of MMP-3 and COX-2 expression level and up regulation of COL-2 genes expression. These results suggest that SXF could be a promising alternative treatment candidate for osteoarthritis.

Animal models of osteoarthritis: characterization of a model induced by Mono-Iodo-Acetate injected in rabbits

Knee Osteoarthritis is a considerable public health concern, both in terms of life quality and treatment financial impacts. To investigate this disease, animal models are deemed a promising alternative. In fact, although a perfect model is generally farfetched, the creation of models that simulate human disease as accurately as possible remains an important research stake. This study aims to highlight the usefulness of the model induced by injected Mono-Iodo-Acetate and to standardize it for the rabbit species. Osteoarthritis was induced by an infra-patellar injection of 0.2 ml of an MIA solution in the left knee of 24 female New Zealand rabbits. The right knee served as a control by receiving an injection of physiological serum. The rabbits were divided into 4 groups of 6 individuals each according to the dose of MIA received per knee. All rabbits were euthanized 30 days after the injection. After sacrifice, the knees were carefully dissected and macroscopic and microscopic scores of cartilage, meniscal and synovial lesions were attributed to each group. Our study followed the laboratory animal care and management guideline published in 2017 by the Canadian Council of Animal Care. The control knees of all rabbits showed no macroscopic or microscopic lesions. The macroscopic lesions: osteophytes, meniscal lesions, fibrillation and erosion of the cartilage and microscopic lesions: disorganization of the chondrocytes, decrease in proteoglycans and synovial inflammation clinically diagnosed in human pathology were all detected and were similarly reproducible among the knees of the same group. Through this work, we highlighted the merits of the arthritis model induced by MIA, namely its simulation of several aspects of human pathology. Further advantages are low cost, speed, reproducibility. This model notably avoids delicate and risky surgical operations.

Transdermal co-delivery of glucosamine sulfate and diacerein for the induction of chondroprotection in experimental osteoarthritis

The aim of this work was to develop a transdermal delivery system consisting of a glucosamine sulfate-laden xanthan hydrogel containing a nanoemulsion-loaded diacerein. The system was intended to prevent cartilage degradation typical of osteoarthritis. The nanoemulsion, made of soybean oil as the oil phase; soybean lecithin, Tween 80, and poloxamer 407 as surfactants; and propylene glycol as cosurfactant, was formed within the hydrogel. The hydrodynamic diameter of the nanoemulsion globules was 81.95 ± 0.256 nm with 0.285 ± 0.036 of PDI value and the zeta potential value of the formulation was 39.33 ± 0.812 mV. CryoSEM and TEM studies revealed the uniform morphology of the vehicle. A rheological study exposed the nanoemulsion-loaded hydrogel as a thixotropic system. Satisfactory storage stability under ICH conditions was established by the zeta potential and rheological studies. Furthermore, skin biocompatibility of the hydrogel was ascertained on the basis of skin irritation study. Additionally, the diffusion of the drugs across rat skin followed a controlled non-Fickian anomalous steady mechanism. Following in vivo administration in experimental osteoarthritis, the transdermal hydrogel showed a reduction in tumor necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein, high mobility group box protein, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Finally, histopathological analysis of the animals showed satisfactory chondroprotection in the in vivo study. In conclusion, the developed transdermal systems showed a potential against the progression of experimental osteoarthritis.

Comparison of the antinociceptive profiles of morphine and oxycodone in two models of inflammatory and osteoarthritic pain in rat

Oxycodone and morphine are two opioid drugs commonly used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. However, their use in the management of noncancer pain remains a controversial issue and, in this respect, the evidence on their effectiveness and safety, particularly in osteoarthritis, is being questioned. In order to analyse their analgesic profile, two different pain models in rats were used: the formalin-induced inflammatory pain and the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee osteoarthritic pain. Drugs were administered systemically (i.p.) and their antinociceptive effect and potency were assessed. In the formalin test, both morphine and oxycodone produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect, but oxycodone outdid morphine in terms of effectiveness and potency (nearly two times) in the early (acute nociceptive) as in the late phase (inflammatory). In the osteoarthritis model, both drugs reduced movement-evoked pain (knee-bend test), mechanical allodynia (von Frey test) and heat hyperalgesia (Plantar test). Pretreatment with naloxone and naloxone methiodide reduced morphine and oxycodone effects. Peripheral mu-opioid receptors play a crucial role in the antinociceptive effect of both drugs on movement-evoked pain and heat hyperalgesia, but not on tactile allodynia. The main finding of our study is that oxycodone has a better antinociceptive profile in the inflammatory and osteoarthritic pain, being more effective than morphine at 14 days post-MIA injection (phase with neuropathic pain); it overcame the morphine effect by improving the movement-induced pain, tactile allodynia and heat hyperalgesia. Therefore, oxycodone could be an interesting option to treat patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis when opioids are required.

Pros and cons of mouse models for studying osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic conditions in the world today. It results in breakdown of cartilage in joints and causes the patient to experience intense pain and even disability. The pathophysiology of OA is not fully understood; therefore, there is currently no cure for OA. Many researchers are investigating the pathophysiology of the disease and attempting to develop methods to alleviate the symptoms or cure the OA entirely using animal models. Most studies on OA use animal models; this is necessary as the disease develops very slowly in humans and presents differently in each patient. This makes it difficult to effectively study the progression of osteoarthritis. Animal models can be spontaneous, in which OA naturally occurs in the animal. Genetic modifications can be used to make the mice more susceptible to developing OA. Osteoarthritis can also be induced via surgery, chemical injections, or non-invasive trauma. This review aims to describe animal models of inducing osteoarthritis with a focus on the models used on mice and their advantages and disadvantages that each model presents.

Cartilage repair and inhibition of the progression of cartilage degeneration after transplantation of allogeneic chondrocyte sheets in a nontraumatic early arthritis model

Introduction

Using a rat model of nontraumatic early arthritis induced by intra-articular administration of low-dose monoiodoacetic acid (MIA), we transplanted allogeneic chondrocyte sheets and examined the effects on tissue repair.

Methods

MIA (0.2 mg/50 μl) was injected into the right knee of 20 male Wistar rats. Four weeks later, rats were randomly allocated into three groups: Group A was examined 4 weeks after administration of MIA; Group B, 8 weeks after MIA injection and chondrocyte sheet transplantation, and Group C, 8 weeks after MIA injection but without chondrocyte sheet transplantation. Allogeneic chondrocyte sheets were transplanted into the right knee of Group B rats. Pain was assessed as the weight distribution ratio of the damaged to undamaged limb. The OARSI score was used for histological scoring.

Results

The limb weight distribution ratio indicated significantly less pain in Group B. Histological scoring showed significant differences in cartilage repair and inhibition of the progression of cartilage degeneration between Groups B and C, but not between Groups A and B, or Groups A and C.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that, in this rat model of nontraumatic early arthritis induced by low-dose MIA injection, allogeneic chondrocyte sheet transplantation induces cartilage repair and suppresses cartilage degeneration.

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Therapeutic effects of allogeneic chondrocyte sheets were examined using an arthritis model of rat induced by low-dose MIA.

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Chondrocyte sheets exhibited sufficient expression of genes important to maintaining a stable cartilage matrix.

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Transplantation of chondrocyte sheets alleviated pain and induced cartilage repair and suppressed cartilage degeneration.

Avocado soybean unsaponifiables ameliorates cartilage and subchondral bone degeneration in mono-iodoacetate-induced knee osteoarthritis in rats

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of arthritis, is a disabling progressive disease mainly affecting the elderly and is becoming a major public health problem. Current therapies for OA provide only palliative pain relief and therapeutic candidates that are able to slow the progression of structural deterioration is a major unmet need for this disorder. Avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) has proven its safety and effectiveness in clinical studies of knee osteoarthritis (OA); however, whether ASU exerts structure-modifying effects is still to be elucidated. There are limited studies that have explored the underlying mechanisms of ASU's beneficial effects in animal models of OA. To this end, this study is the first to evaluate the effects of ASU in a rat model of mono-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee OA. OA was induced in rats by knee intra-patellar injection of MIA. Oral administration of ASU (27.5 mg/kg per day for 3 weeks) was initiated 3 weeks after MIA injection. We analysed the knee samples using light and electron microscopy. In addition, we used immunohistochemistry to investigate the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) in OA cartilage and subchondral bone. ASU significantly attenuated the synovium, cartilage, and subchondral degeneration. In addition, it reduced the expression of TNF-α and MMP-13 in OA cartilage and the expression of iNOS in both OA cartilage and subchondral bone. These results provide evidence of the structure-modifying abilities of ASU via its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, in addition to its ability to modulate MMP-13 activity. This work suggests that ASU can be used as a potential disease-modifying treatment for OA.

Intra-articular injections of ketamine and 25% dextrose improve clinical and pathological outcomes in the monosodium iodoacetate model of osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

The study evaluated the effect of intra-articular injections of ketamine and 25% dextrose with triamcinolone acetate (TA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) on joint pathology and pain behavior in monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis (OA) in experimental mice.

METHODS

In phase I, the MIA-induced OA model was standardized. In phase II, mice were divided into three groups: disease controls (DC), ketamine 12 mg/kg (K12) and ketamine 24 mg/kg (K24) to select an effective dose of ketamine for phase III. In phase III, the groups were: DC, normal controls (NC), K24, 25% dextrose (D25) - 10 μL, TA 6 mg/kg, and HA - 3.5 mg/kg. The effect of ketamine was compared with the standard drugs - TA and HA. In phases II and III, after 7 days following the induction of OA, animals were subjected to weekly behavioral tests and biweekly drug administration from week 2 to week 4. Subsequently, after 4 weeks knee joint samples were collected and sent for histopathological evaluation to a veterinary pathologist.

RESULTS

In phase I, the DC group showed significant OA changes as compared to NC on knee joint histopathology scoring. In phase II, all the behavioral tests and knee joint histopathology results demonstrated a significant improvement with K24 as compared to DC. In phase III, significant differences were found between DC vs. HA, DC vs. D25, DC vs. K24, K24 vs. TA, HA vs. TA for open field test and hot plate test (p<0.001), whereas HA and ketamine showed comparable results for these tests. There was a significant improvement in D25, TA and K24, HA groups as compared to DC in histopathology scores, (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The NMDA antagonist effect of ketamine and the proliferative effect of 25% dextrose showed a reduction in pain and disease activity in the OA model.

Evaluation of oral multi-herbal preparation of Dashmoolarishta on mice model of osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic progressive disease commonly affecting the hip and knee joints. Although synthetic drugs are available and afford symptomatic relief, their side effects pose limitations to their continuous use. So, this research was focused on extracting drugs from indigenous medicinal plants that could have a beneficial effect on osteoarthritis. Dashmoolarishta is one such preparation whose effects have never been studied in comparison with recent drugs like hyaluronic acid (HA), hence this particular study was undertaken. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Dashmoolarishta compared with HA on joint pathology and pain behavior in monosodiumiodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA in experimental mice.

METHODS

The study was initiated after obtaining permission from the Animal Ethics Committee. This study was based on the MIA model of osteoarthritis, with mice being divided into five groups viz.: disease control (DC), Dasahmoolarishta high dose (HD) and low dose (LD), sham control (SC) and HA. The OA of the knee joint was induced in these mice using monosodiumiodoacetate. Seven days after induction, animals were subjected to weekly behavioral tests, daily oral Dashmoolarishta, and biweekly HA administration from weeks 2-4. At the end of the 4th week, histopathological examination of the knee joints was done.

RESULTS

DC showed significant osteoarthritic changes. At week 4, the behavioral tests and histopathology results of all groups were found to be significant. A significant difference (p<0.05) was found between DC vs. SC, HA, HD, LD for open field test, Rota rod test, knee joint diameter, and Cat walk test. Dashmoolarishta HD and LD showed significant improvement in pain, as assessed by behavioral tests (p<0.05) and pathology, as assessed by knee joint histopathology (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral Dashmoolarishta showed reduction in pain and disease activity in MIA-induced osteoarthritis in mice model.

Accentuated transdermal application of glucosamine sulphate attenuates experimental osteoarthritis induced by monosodium iodoacetate

Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease causing pain and disability.