Knee osteoarthritis: A review of animal models and intervention of traditional Chinese medicine

BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) characterized by degeneration of knee cartilage and subsequent bone hyperplasia is a prevalent joint condition primarily affecting aging adults. The pathophysiology of KOA remains poorly understood, as it involves complex mechanisms that result in the same outcome. Consequently, researchers are interested in studying KOA and require appropriate animal models for basic research. Chinese herbal compounds, which consist of multiple herbs with diverse pharmacological properties, possess characteristics such as multicomponent, multipathway, and multitarget effects. The potential benefits in the treatment of KOA continue to attract attention.PurposeThis study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the advantages, limitations, and specific considerations in selecting different species and methods for KOA animal models. This will help researchers make informed decisions when choosing an animal model.MethodsOnline academic databases (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CNKI) were searched using the search terms "knee osteoarthritis," "animal models," "traditional Chinese medicine," and their combinations, primarily including KOA studies published from 2010 to 2023.ResultsBased on literature retrieval, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the methods of establishing KOA animal models; introduces the current status of advantages and disadvantages of various animal models, including mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, and sheep/goats; and presents the current status of methods used to establish KOA animal models.ConclusionThis study provides a review of the animal models used in recent KOA research, discusses the common modeling methods, and emphasizes the role of traditional Chinese medicine compounds in the treatment of KOA. Classification of knee osteoarthritis animal models based on etiology and the mechanism of action. Different methods of establishing knee osteoarthritis animal models have their own advantages and limitations, and researchers need to choose the right model according to their research purposes and problems.image