Effect of Aralia Cordata Pharmacopuncture on Cartilage Protection and Apoptosis Inhibition In Vitro and in Collagenased-induced Arthritis Rabbit Model

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by structural and biochemical changes in chondrocytes and cartilages, and insufficient synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) because of chondrocyte phenotype loss (i.e. dedifferentiation) and increased numbers of apoptotic chondrocytes 1-5) . Chondrocytes are differentiated from mesenchymal cells during embryonic development. Differentiated chondrocytes synthesize sufficient amounts of cartilage-specific ECM, including type II collagen and proteoglycan, to maintain matrix integrity 6,7) . This homeostasis is recognized to be destroyed by chondrocyte apoptosis in the state of OA. The current treatments for OA only modify symptoms rather than underlying processes. Therefore, more suitable therapies that modify the pathophysiology of OA are needed. At this point, chondrocyte apotosis is an essential target in received : 15 November 2007 received in revised from : 17 November 2007 accepted : 7 December 2007 Correspondence to : Dong-Suk Park Department of Acupunture, College of Oriental medicine, KyungHee 149, Sangildong, Kangdonggu, Seoul, South Korea (Tel : +82-2-440-7702 / Fax : +82-2-440-6799 E-mail : address: [email protected]) Effect of Aralia Cordata Pharmacopuncture on Cartilage Protection and Apoptosis Inhibition In Vitro and in Collagenased-induced Arthritis Rabbit Model