| Objective To observe the effect of Yougui pill on serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) and inflammatory cytokines in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, Yougui pill low-dose, middle-dose, and high-dose group, and glucosamine sulfate group, with 10 rats in each group. KOA model was induced with modified Hulth method for 6 weeks. Animals in sham group and model group received equal volume of distilled water orally. Animals in the rests groups received according drugs. After 8 weeks, HE staining was adopted to observe the pathological changes of articular cartilage in each group. The chondrocyte morphology was observed and Mankin score was counted. ELISA was adopted to detect the serum levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, TIMP-1, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Results Compared with the sham group, Mankin score increased significantly in model group (P<0.05). Meantime, the levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α increased significantly, but TIMP-1 level decreased obviously in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, Mankin score decreased in Yougui pill high-dose group and glucosamine sulfate group. Meantime, the levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α decreased, but TIMP-1 level increased in Yougui pill high-dose group and glucosamine sulfate group (P<0.05). Conclusion Yougui pill inhibits cartilage degeneration by down regulation of the levels of MMP and inflammatory factors in KOA. |