The inhibitory effects of rosmarinic acid on catabolism induced by IL-1β in rat chondrocyte

The effects of rosmarinic acid (RosA) on osteoarthritis (OA) was investigated in rat chondrocytes. Chondrocytes were isolated from rat cartilage, incubated with RosA in the presence of interleukin-1beta (IL-1 beta) (10 ng/ml). The production of IL-6, as well as the mRNA level of aggrecan (ACAN) and collagen 2 (COL2), were assessed. The gene and protein expression of A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-4, ADAMTS-5 were also measured. RosA inhibited the production of IL-6 as well as the gene and protein expression of ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5, in addition, RosA abolished IL-1 beta -induced inhibition of ACAN and COL2 gene expression. Our results suggest that RosA can inhibit extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in OA, thus, RosA may be a possible agent in the treatment of OA.