Protective effects of dioscin against cartilage destruction in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-indcued osteoarthritis rat model

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disabling disease of joint with no clear treatment. The finding of medicine be of benefit to joint is an important topic for osteoarthritis prevention and treatment. The present study was designed to explore the therapeutic effects and possible underlying mechanism of dioscin, a natural steroidal saponin, on osteoarthritis. Methods: OA models were created via intra-joint injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) in rats. After the administration of dioscin, the effects of dioscin were estimated with western blotting, qRT-PCR and histologic staining. Results: The results showed that dioscin exerted cartilage and extracelluar matrix (ECM) protective effects via suppressing ER-stress, oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation. More significantly, it also ameliorated the progress of OA via inhibiting Wnt/beta-catenin pathway and up-regulating PPAR-gamma expression. Conclusion: Our work showed the good protective effects of dioscin on MIA-induced OA for the first time. Dioscin is a promising drug on OA treatment although further researches are needed in the future.