Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Tougu Xiaotong granule composed of mornda root, radix paeoniae alba from Hangzhou of China, herba sarcandrae, and szechwan lovage rhizome can effectively delay alteration of macroscopic form of articular cartilage and degeneration of cartilage matrix and chondrocytes. But the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Tougu Xiaotong granule on Wnt4, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) and β-catenin levels in wnt/β-catenin signal pathway of chondrocytes. 
METHODS: SD rat articular chondrocytes were isolated and induced with human interleukin-1β for degeneration. Passage 2 degenerated chondrocytes were randomly divided into a control group and a Tougu Xiaotong granule group. Alcohol extract product of Tougu Xiaotong granule was added to the Tougu Xiaotong granule group. After 4 and 8 days of culture, Wnt4, GSK-3β and β-catenin levels were detected using RT-PCR and western blot methods.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Human interleukin-1β could induce the degeneration of chondrocytes. Wnt4, GSK-3β, β-catenin protein expression was observed in the chondrocytes during the early stage of degeneration. But with time going, Wnt4 and β-catenin protein expression was decreased while GSK-3β expression was increased. After intervention with Tougu Xiaotong granule, these phenomena could be reversed. These findings suggest that Tougu Xiaotong granule can induce chondrocytes to synthesize Wnt4 and β-catenin and inhibit GSK-3β expression.