Figure 3.
Gene expression of cartilage-modifying agents in herbal-treated chondrocytes.
Notes: Cells preexposed to IL-1β were treated with 100 μg/mL of herbals extracts. Gene expression of MMPs (A), inflammatory cytokines (B), anabolic agents (C), signaling pathways (D), and the activity of inhibitors on signaling pathways (E) were evaluated using quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction. Values correspond to means ± standard error from two independent experiments run in triplicate; *P<0.05; **P<0.01.
Abbreviations: ADAMTS, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs; C. quad, Cissus quadrangularis; COX2, cyclooxygenase-2; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; MMPs, matrix metalloproteinases; NOS2, nitric oxide synthase 2; W. som, Withania somnifera; IL-1β, interleukin-1β; MMP, matrix metal loproteinase; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa B; TGF-β, transforming growth factor-β; TNF-α, tumour necrosis factor-α; IGF, insulin-like growth factor; PGE2, prostaglandins 2; JNK, c-Jun N-terminal kinases; ERK, extracellular signal-regulated kinases.