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Review
. 2021 Aug 3:2021:9963677.
doi: 10.1155/2021/9963677. eCollection 2021.

Natural Products of Pharmacology and Mechanisms in Nucleus Pulposus Cells and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Hai-Wei Chen  1   2 , Guang-Zhi Zhang  1   2 , Ming-Qiang Liu  1   2 , Li-Juan Zhang  2   3 , Ji-He Kang  1   2 , Zhao-Heng Wang  1   2 , Wen-Zhao Liu  1   2 , Ai-Xin Lin  1   2 , Xue-Wen Kang  1   3   4   5
Affiliations
Review

Natural Products of Pharmacology and Mechanisms in Nucleus Pulposus Cells and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Hai-Wei Chen et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. .

Abstract

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is one of the main causes of low back pain (LBP), which severely reduces the quality of life and imposes a heavy financial burden on the families of affected individuals. Current research suggests that IDD is a complex cell-mediated process. Inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal mechanical load, telomere shortening, DNA damage, and nutrient deprivation contribute to intervertebral disc cell senescence and changes in matrix metabolism, ultimately causing IDD. Natural products are widespread, structurally diverse, afford unique advantages, and exhibit great potential in terms of IDD treatment. In recent years, increasing numbers of natural ingredients have been shown to inhibit the degeneration of nucleus pulposus cells through various modes of action. Here, we review the pharmacological effects of natural products on nucleus pulposus cells and the mechanisms involved. An improved understanding of how natural products target signalling pathways will aid the development of anti-IDD drugs. This review focuses on potential IDD drugs.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structures of phenolics with pharmacological potential: (a) resveratrol; (b) coumarin; (c) sparstolonin B; (d) curcumin; (e) o-vanillin; (f) honokiol; (g) salvianolic acid B; (h) tea polyphenol; (i) pigallocatechin-3-gallate; (j) gallic acid; (k) sesamin.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chemical structures of phenolics with pharmacological potential: (a) icariin; (b) naringin; (c) genistein; (d) wogonin; (e) luteoloside; (f) quercetin; (g) baicalein; (h) apigenin; (i) kaempferol.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Chemical structures of alkaloids with pharmacological potential: (a) berberine; (b) oxymatrine; (c) piperine.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Chemical structures of terpenoids with pharmacological potential: (a) andrographolide; (b) glycyrrhizin; (c) CDDO-EA.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Chemical structures of saponins and quinones with pharmacological potential: (a) The saponins of ginsenosides; (b) the quinones of plumbagin.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Natural products inhibit inflammation-related signalling pathways and reduce the expression of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, COX-2, iNOS, and PGE2, thereby delaying intervertebral disc degeneration.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Natural products increase GSH and SOD expression and decrease those of ROS, MDA, NOX4, and O2− by inhibiting the oxidative stress-related signalling pathways involved in intervertebral disc degeneration.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Natural products inhibit apoptosis and ECM degeneration through different mechanisms to prevent intervertebral disc degeneration.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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