Salicin inhibits AGE-induced degradation of type II collagen and aggrecan in human SW1353 chondrocytes: therapeutic potential in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major age-related disease, which may be caused by the accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Excessive degradation of type II collagen and aggrecan by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif (ADAMTS) induced by AGEs is a pivotal event in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. In addition, activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway induces the expression of a cascade of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In the present study, we investigated the effects of salicin, one of the main constituents of aspirin and a derivative of Alangium chinense, on AGE-induced degradation of the articular extracellular matrix in SW1353 human chondrocytes. Our findings reveal a novel beneficial role of salicin in rescuing degradation of type II collagen and aggrecan, reducing oxidative stress, attenuating expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and inhibiting activation of the NF-κB proinflammatory signaling pathway in chondrocytes stimulated with AGEs. Salicin may thus have potential as a safe and effective therapy against the development and progression of OA.