2024, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (23): 3627-3635

Yi medicine Sambucus adnata Wall methanol extract in a rat osteoarthritis model: therapeutic effect and target prediction

Zheng Jianbin1, Lu Yuchun1, Jiang Zixian1, Li Xiufang1, Wang Tao2, Wang Wenjing1   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Yi people have used Sambucus adnata Wall to treat fractures, bruises, arthritis, etc. The author’s group found that the active site aqueous extract (SAW-A) and dichloromethane extract (SAW-B) can promote fracture healing by promoting the expression of genes related to osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and maturation, differentiation and maturation. However, the therapeutic effect of methanol extract (SAW-C) at its active site on osteoarthritis is unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Sambucus adnata Wall extract on osteoarthritis, and to identify the effective targets of Sambucus adnata Wall extract in the treatment of osteoarthritis by network pharmacology technology.
METHODS: A rat osteoarthritis model was replicated by anterior cruciate ligamentectomy and model rats were then treated with methanol extract of Sambucus adnata Wall by gavage for 21 days. On the 21st day after modeling, the knee joint of rats was detected by X-ray, the width of the knee joint was measured, oxidative stress indexes and inflammatory factors levels in serum and joint lavage fluid were detected, the morphology of the knee joint was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, full-thickness cartilage and hyaline cartilage thickness were measured, and the content of articular cartilage proteoglycan was observed by safranin O-fast green staining. The "drug-component-disease-target" network was constructed. Gene ontology enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis of effective targets were performed, and protein-protein interaction network maps were constructed using cytoscape software.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Sambucus adnata Wall extract could reduce tumor necrosis factor-α level in joint lavage fluid and serum levels of prostaglandin E2 and malondialdehyde, while increase the level of superoxide dismutase; relieve joint swelling caused by osteoarthritis; improve the histopathological state of articular cartilage, maintain the thickness of full-thickness articular cartilage, hyaline cartilage and the area of bone trabeculae in subchondral bone; and effectively prevent the loss of proteoglycans in articular cartilage and have a chondroprotective effect. Network pharmacological results showed that the methanol extract of Sambucus adnata Wall may have some targets related to inhibition of tumor necrosis factor, AKT1, interleukin-6, MAPK3, and SRC as well as inhibition of over-activation of EGFR signaling pathway and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway.

Key words: Sambucus adnata Wall, methanol extract, osteoarthritis, articular cartilage, chondrocyte, inflammation, oxidative stress, network pharmacology