Protective effect of ethyl acetate fraction from Semen sojae germinatum, the processed sprout of Chinese black soybean, on rat experimental osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background: Our previous in vitro study reported that the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of Semen sojae germinatum (SSG), the processed sprout of Chinese black soybean, possessed the potent anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective properties. The aim of the present work was to verify the in vivo antiosteoarthritic effect of EAF from SSG on a rat osteoarthritis (OA) model. Methods: A classical rat OA model was surgically induced by anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT). The OA rats were intra-articularly administered EAF from SSG for 8 weeks. The cartilage and synovial tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) to observe the histopathological changes. Safranin O/fast green staining was used to assess the glycosaminoglycan content in cartilage tissue sections. The expression of type II collagen and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 in cartilage was measured by immunohistochemistry. The apoptotic chondrocytes in the cartilage sections were detected using TUNEL assay. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-ɑ in synovial fluid were determined using ELISA. Results: Intra-articular administration of EAF from SSG well retained the structure and superficial layer of cartilage tissues, ameliorated cartilage lesion and the degradation of cartilage matrix, including proteoglycan and type II collagen, induced by ACLT operation. The ACLT-induced upregulation of MMP-13 expression in the cartilage tissues was resisted by EAF from SSG. Moreover, EAF from SSG inhibited the ACLT-induced chondrocyte apoptosis. Compared to OA model group, the inflammatory status of synovial membrane was improved, the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-ɑ in synovial fluid were decreased in rats administrated with EAF from SSG. Conclusion: These data suggested that EAF from SSG displayed in vivo protective effect on OA development via preventing the degeneration of articular cartilage, inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis and suppressing synovial inflammation.

Extracts from sojae semen germinatum ameliorated carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice

“…As a key lymphokine, IL-6 mediates chemotaxis of inflammatory cells, exacerbates the inflammatory cascade, finally leads to tissue damage (Xie et al, 2021). In line with the known antiinflammatory properties of EAE of SSG (Wang et al, 2020;Fan et al, 2016) and other soybean bioactive compounds (Kusumah & Gonzalez de Mejia, 2022), the present study showed that, among different fractions extracted from SSG, the EAE appeared to exhibit the strongest inhibitory activity against the CCl 4 -induced liver inflammation.…”

“…In the modern experimental research, the CCl 4 -induced liver injury model has been well-accepted to share similar pathomechanisms, such as inflammatory damage, oxidative stress, and hepatocyte apoptosis, with chemical liver injury in humans (Li et al, 2018;Ahmad et al, 2023). Our previous studies showed that the extracts from SSG exerted the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities in the in vitro and in vivo osteoarthritis models (Wang et al, 2020;Fan et al, 2016). Therefore, from the perspective of either TCM or modern scientific theory, it could be speculate that SSG and its active ingredients might have a protective effect on the CCl 4 -induced liver injury.…”

“…As a traditional Chinese herbal medicine prepared from the germinating seeds of black soybean Glycine max L. Merr. (Leguminosae), sojae semen germinatum (SSG) has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinical practices for thousands of years based on its heat-clearing, dampness-removing, and detoxifying properties (Wang et al, 2020;Fan et al, 2016). Up to date, SSG has been officially included in the National Pharmacopoeia of People's Republic of China.…”

“…are germinated to the sprouts of 1 cm bud length, SSG is prepared through processing the dried bean sprouts with Lophatherum gracile and Juncus effusus . As a soy-derived medicinal material without toxicity, SSG has a neutral nature and a sweet flavor in TCM theory, and has a long history of both medicinal and food uses in Chinese perception and experience (Wang et al, 2020;Fan et al, 2016). However, the modern studies on pharmacological actions of SSG are still rare.…”