FSGT capsule inhibits IL-1β-induced inflammation in chondrocytes and ameliorates osteoarthritis by upregulating LncRNA PACER and downregulating COX2/PGE2

Objective: To explore the efficacy and potential mechanism of Fengshi Gutong capsule (FSGTC) in osteoarthritis (OA) inflammation. Methods: The impact of FSGTC on laboratory indicators of OA patients was explored using data mining technology and association rule analysis. Then, the OA cell model was constructed by inducing chondrocytes (CHs) with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta). In the presence of FSGTC intervention, the regulatory mechanism of PACER/COX2/PGE2 in OA-CH viability and inflammatory responses was evaluated. Results: Retrospective data mining showed that FSGTC effectively reduced inflammation indexes (ESR, HCRP) of OA patients. Cell experiments showed that LncRNA PACER (PACER) silencing inhibited the proliferation activity of OA-CHs, increased the level of COX2 protein, elevated the levels of PGE2, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta, and decreased the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 (p < .01). On the contrary, FSGTC-containing serum reversed the effect of PACER silencing on OA-CHs (p < .01). After the addition of COX2 pathway inhibitor, the proliferation activity of OA-CHs was enhanced; the levels of PGE2, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta were decreased while the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were increased (p < .01). Conclusion: FSGTC inhibits IL-1 beta-induced inflammation in CHs and ameliorates OA by upregulating PACER and downregulating COX2/PGE2.