Identification of Targets of a New Nutritional Mixture for Osteoarthritis Management Composed by Curcuminoids Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen and Green Tea Extract

Objective We have previously demonstrated that a mixture of curcuminoids extract, hydrolyzed collagen and green tea extract (COT) inhibited inflammatory and catabolic mediator's synthesis by osteoarthritic human chondrocytes. The objective of this study was to identify new targets of COT using genomic and proteomic approaches. Design Cartilage specimens were obtained from 12 patients with knee osteoarthritis. Primary human chondrocytes were cultured in monolayer until confluence and then incubated for 24 or 48 hours in the absence or in the presence of human interleukin(IL)-1 beta (10(-11)M) and with or without COT, each compound at the concentration of 4 mu g/ml. Microarray gene expression profiling between control, COT, IL-1 beta and COT IL-1 beta conditions was performed. Immunoassays were used to confirm the effect of COT at the protein level. Results More than 4000 genes were differentially expressed between conditions. The key regulated pathways were related to inflammation, cartilage metabolism and angiogenesis. The IL-1 beta stimulated chemokine ligand 6, matrix metalloproteinase-beta, bone morphogenetic protein-2 and stanniocalcin1 gene expressions and protein productions were down-regulated by COT. COT significantly decreased stanniocalcin1 production in basal condition. Serpin E1 gene expression and protein production were down-regulated by IL-1 beta. COT reversed the inhibitory effect of IL-1 beta. Serpin E1 gene expression was up-regulated by COT in control condition. Conclusion The COT mixture has beneficial effect on osteoarthritis physiopathology by regulating the synthesis of key catabolic, inflammatory and angiogenesis factors. These findings give a scientific rationale for the use of these natural ingredients in the management of osteoarthritis.