Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer modulates the levels of MMP3 in S12 murine articular cartilage cell line

Aim of the studyThe destruction of cartilage in patients with osteoarthritis occurs due to an imbalance between matrix synthesis and degradation. Cartilage degradation is induced by the activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the cartilage protective effect of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (PG).Materials and methodsS12 cells were treated with various concentrations of extract of PG and gensenosides Rd and Rb3 for 3 h, after which 10 ng/ml interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was added to the culture media. The levels of MMP3 in the conditioned media were then evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of Type II Collagen and Pro-collagenase. Furthermore, Western blot analysis was performed to identify the roles that PG played in the ERK and p38 signaling pathways.ResultsThe MMP3 secretion levels of S12 cells were significantly lowered in response to treatment with PG and gensenosides Rd and Rb3 at a concentration of 100 μg/ml when compared to cells that were treated with IL-1β. In addition, PG induced the mRNA expression of Type II Collagen dose dependently. Furthermore, phosphorylated p38 and ERK were detected in S12 articular cartilage cell line that was treated with IL-1β. PG decreased the phosphorylation of p38, but PG did not exert any effect on phospho-ERK.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that PG and gensenosides Rd and Rb3 suppress MMP3 secretion and that gensenosides Rd and Rb3 are the major elements involved in the suppression of MMP3 by PG. Furthermore, the suppression of MMP3 by PG occurs via the inhibition of phospho-p38 activation. Therefore, PG may exert a protective effect against the cartilage degradation of OA.