Astaxanthin reduces matrix metalloproteinase expression in human chondrocytes

• Astaxanthin reduced the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-13 in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes.
• Astaxanthin inhibited the phosphorylation of two mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) (p38 and ERK1/2) as well as the IκB-α degradation in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes.
• These results suggest that astaxanthin may be beneficial in the treatment of OA.

Astaxanthin is a red carotenoid pigment which exerts multiple biological activities. However, little is known about the effects of astaxanthin on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in OA. The present study investigated the effects of astaxanthin on MMPs in human chondrocytes. Human chondrocytes were pretreated with astaxanthin at 1, 10 or 50 μM, then, cells were stimulated with IL-1β (10 ng/ml) for 24 h. MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-13 were observed. We found that astaxanthin reduced the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-13 as well as the phosphorylation of two mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) (p38 and ERK1/2) in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes. Astaxanthin also blocked the IκB-α degradation. These results suggest that astaxanthin may be beneficial in the treatment of OA.