Therapeutic effects of asperosaponin VI in rabbit tendon disease

Abstract

Introduction: This study explored the effects and molecular mechanisms of asperosaponin VI in tendon disease.

Methods: Forty-eight purebred adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into the normal group (normal, n = 8); saline group (saline, n = 8) and prostaglandin E2 group (n = 32), which was further divided into four subgroups that were treated with asperosaponin VI doses of 0 mg/kg (model, n = 8), 10 mg/kg (10, n = 8), 20 mg/kg (20, n = 8) and 40 mg/kg (40, n = 8). The expression levels of matrix metallopeptidase 1 (MMP1), metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1), serpin family E member 1 (SERPINE1), collagen Ⅰ (COL1), collagen Ⅲ (COL3) and tenomodulin (TNMD) in Achilles tendon tissue were determined through Western blot analysis. The histopathological changes in tendon tissue were observed by using Masson staining and haematoxylin-eosin staining.

Results: The expression levels of MMP1, TIMP1 and COL3 were higher and those of TGFB1, SERPINE1, COL1 and TNMD were lower in the 0 mg/kg group than in the normal group (P < 0.05). Compared with those in the 0 mg/kg group, the levels of MMP1 were lower in the 20 and 40 mg/kg groups. Compared with those in the 0 mg/kg group, the levels of TIMP1 were lower and the levels of TGFB1, COL1 and TNMD were higher in the 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg groups. In addition, compared with those in other groups, the levels of SERPINE1 in the 40 mg/kg group were significantly higher and the levels of COL3 in the 10 and 20 mg/kg groups were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Fibrous tissue arrangements and structures in the 40 mg/kg group were similar to those in the control group.

Conclusion: The effects of asperosaponin VI on injured tendons mainly involve eliminating inflammation, restoring balance to extracellular matrix collagen metabolism and inducing tendon cell proliferation. Asperosaponin VI is likely to be an ideal drug for the prevention and treatment of tendon disease.

Keywords: Achilles tendon disease; Asperosaponin Ⅵ; Collagen; Fibrosis; Healing; Proliferation.

Fig. 1

Effects of asperosaponin VI on the ultrastructure of Achilles tendons in different groups. Abnormal echo and abnormal blood flow signal in the model group. In the 10 mg/kg group, the echo mass was not uniform, the echo of the surrounding fascia was enhanced, the tendon was clearly thickened and blood flow was abundant. The inflammatory response in the 10 mg/kg group was greater than that in the 20 and 40 mg/kg groups. In the 20 and 40 mg/kg groups, the echo intensity was uniform, tendon thickening was unclear and the boundary was clear. The two groups had similar ultrasonic manifestations.

Fig. 2

Protein levels of MMP1, TIMP1, TGFB1, SERPINE1, COL1, COL3 and TNMD in different groups determined via Western blot analysis. Compared with the model group, ∗P < 0.05.

Fig. 3

Effects of asperosaponin VI on pathological changes of different groups: Masson staining (100 × , 200 × ) and haematoxylin–eosin staining (40 × , 200 × ).

Fig. 4

Effects of asperosaponin VI on the evaluation score of tendon healing. Compared with the model group, ∗P < 0.05.