Pomegranate extract inhibits the interleukin-1β-induced activation of MKK-3, p38α-MAPK and transcription factor RUNX-2 in human osteoarthritis chondrocytes

Rasheed Z, Akhtar N, Haqqi TM · Arthritis Research & Therapy

Maps the pathway rather than just the outcome: human OA chondrocytes express the p38α, γ and δ isoforms but not β, IL-1β phosphorylates α and γ through MKK3, and pomegranate extract blocked MKK3, p38α and the DNA-binding activity of RUNX-2 — the transcription factor that drives chondrocytes toward the hypertrophic, matrix-degrading phenotype.

Population

Primary chondrocytes from human osteoarthritic cartilage

Intervention

Standardized pomegranate extract before IL-1β stimulation

Comparator

IL-1β alone

Limitations

Cell culture with a standardized extract applied directly; says nothing about what concentration reaches a joint after eating.