Effect of Jiangu Shenjin decoction on the Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway in knee osteoarthritis

Background: Study the effect of Jiangu Shenjin decoction on the Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway in knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into eight groups. After successful modelling, the blank group and the model group were given a normal diet and drinking water, and the other rats were given meloxicam, an anti-bone hyperplasia agent and Jiangu Shenjin decoction by gavage for 4 weeks. The degree of movement and knee swelling were observed. Serum levels of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and tumour necrosis factor-a were measured. The levels of inflammatory factors, pathological changes in articular cartilage and the mRNA expression levels of beta-catenin and Wnt4 were examined. Results: Compared with the model group, the treatment group had lower levels than the model group. The medium-dose group had lower levels than the high-dose group. Compared with the meloxicam group and the anti-bone hyperplasia group, the medium-dose group had lower levels than the high-dose group. The medium-dose group had slightly lower levels than the other two groups, and the difference among the three groups was not significant. The mRNA expression level of Wnt4 and beta-catenin indicated that beta-catenin was inhibited in the signalling pathway. The level of beta-catenin was inhibited and then increased each treatment, and bone metabolism regulation by Jiangu Shenjin decoction was effective. Conclusion: Jiangu Shenjin decoction may act through Wnt to treat knee osteoarthritis. The beta-catenin signalling pathway inhibits inflammatory factors and regulates proteins in the signalling pathway to affect bone metabolism.