Expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and caspase-9 in the different groups. Levels of Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 mRNA decreased following treatment with dipsacus saponins in a concentration-dependent manner, while levels of Bcl-2 mRNA significantly increased in chondrocytes treated with l00 µg/l dipsacus saponins. *P<0.05, **P<0.01 vs. 0 µg/l.