This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of chamazulene against IL-1β-induced rat primary chondrocytes and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced osteoarthritic inflammation in rats. Oxidative stress markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and regulatory proteins were measured. Chamazulene significantly reverted (p < 0.05) the levels of lipid peroxidation and enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) enzymes against IL-1β and CFA-induced oxidative stress. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were reduced (p < 0.05) in chamazulene treatment against IL-1β and CFA-induced inflammation. Western blot analysis results on the expressions of MMP-3, MMP-9, p65 NF-kβ, iNOS, and COX-2 showed chamazulene was able to protect the chondrocytes against IL-1β-induced osteoarthritic inflammation. Histopathology of rat hind ankle showed chamazulene significantly protected against CFA-induced osteoarthritic inflammation. Therefore, chamazulene can be recommended as a therapeutic agent for clinical trials against osteoarthritic inflammation.
Keywords: Inflammation; MMPs; chamazulene; oxidative stress; pro-inflammatory cytokines.