The chicken combs extract alleviates pain and cartilage degradation in rat model osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative and inflammatory disorder on particular joint inducing annihilation of articular cartilage. This study is aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of extract of chicken combs (CCE) on pain severity and cartilage degeneration in an experimental model of rat OA. OA was induced in rats by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) to the right knee. CCE, hyaluronic acid and celecoxib were administrated orally every day after MIA injection. Pain severity was estimated by evaluation of secondary tactile allodynia using the von Frey assessment test. The severity of cartilage degradation was examined by histological analysis and Mankin scoring system. Protein expression was observed by immunohistochemistry. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure mRNA level. CCE decreased secondary tactile allodynia revealed by a promoted pain withdrawal latency and pain withdrawal threshold. Cartilage destruction in the osteoarthritic joints was improved by CCE treatment. CCE also suppressed the expression of metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, -13, interleukin-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitrotyrosine increased in osteoarthritic joints. The mRNA level of MMP-1, 3, and -13 was down-regulated by CCE treatment. On the other hand, CCE treatment induced the gene expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and -3. CCE treatment demonstrates the therapeutic effect of pain relief and attenuates cartilage degeneration through the suppression of inflammatory mediators and metalloproteinases performing a pivotal function in OA pathogenesis.