Gene Regulatory Effects of Sappan lignum Extract in a Cell Model of Joint Inflammation

In recent years, intraarticular inflammation has been recognized to contribute to the symptoms and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Inflammation in OA is associated with increased levels of catabolic enzymes and inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Chondrocytes and infiltrating inflammatory cells, neurtrophils and macrophages, participate in the production of these catabolic mediators [1]. Extract from the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan and its active components were reported to have antioxidative, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects [2]. The present study was designed to investigate whether ethanolic extract of C. sappan possesses anti-inflammatory activities in an in vitro model of joint inflammation comprising primary human osteoarthritic chondrocytes and differentiated THP-1 macrophage cells.