Anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoarthritis effects of fermented Achyranthes japonica Nakai

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAchyranthyes japonica Nakai (AJN) has been traditionally used to control pain and improve dysfunction in osteoarthritis (OA) patients.Aim of the studyThe objectives of the present study were to investigate anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoarthritis activities of fermented AJN (FAJN).Materials and methodsAnti-inflammatory activity of non-fermented AJN (NFAJN) and FAJN was evaluated by in vitro assay using LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, their cartilage protective effects were also determined in vitro assay using SW1353 cell and in vivo model system using collagenase-induced arthritis (CIA) in rabbits. Moreover, we isolated and identified 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HES) as a marker component in FAJN.ResultFAJN showed stronger anti-inflammatory activity than NFAJN through inhibiting production of NO and PGE2 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7, and lowering levels of MMP-3 release in SW1353 cells treated with TNF-a. FAJN contained higher levels of 20-HES, as a marker component, than AJN. FAJN ameliorates the progress of OA by inhibiting local inflammation. It does this by regulating levels of TNF-a and IL-4, and protecting articular cartilage by preventing destruction of proteoglycan, collagens, and also preventing injury to chondrocytes.ConclusionTherefore, FAJN is a potential therapeutic agent for reduction of cartilage damage that occurs in OA.