Sirtuin1 (Sirt1)/forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) axis has been reported as a crucial regulator involved in chondral homeostasis of healthy or osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage. In our study, the aim is to investigate whether dioscin functions as an activator of Sirt1/FoxO1 to protect against mechanical stress-induced chondrocyte dysfunction in vitro and in vivo models. HERB and PubChem databases were implemented to predict dioscin-related gene targets. Cell and mouse models of OA were established to determine the pharmacological value of dioscin, a steroidal saponin. Cartilage loss in the knee joint was detected by Safranin O staining. Phosphorylation and nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of FoxO1 was observed in mechanical stress-stimulated chondrocyte and anterior cruciate ligament transection-induced cartilage injury. However, dioscin treatment repressed FoxO1 phosphorylation and cytoplasmic transfer and elevated Sirt1 protein expression. Dioscin treatment reversed mechanical stress-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis of chondrocytes and improved cartilage degradation and bone loss in the epiphysis of the distal femur. Moreover, dioscin could maintain the normal phenotype of chondrocytes via mediating multiple gene expressions. Dioscin inhibited apoptosis and metabolic disorders in OA-like chondrocytes via maintaining the transcriptional activity of FoxO1 and enhancing Sirt1 expression. Dioscin might be a potential Sirt1 activator providing a novel therapeutic schedule for the treatment of OA.
Keywords: chondrocyte; dioscin; mechanical stress; osteoarthritis; sirtuin1 activator.
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