Mangiferin attenuates IL-1β-induced chondrocytes apoptosis.

OBJECTIVES Chondrocyte apoptosis is an important process in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Mangiferin exerts multiple pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis. However, the role of mangiferin in chondrocyte apoptosis is not clear. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of mangiferin in IL-1β-induced chondrocyte apoptosis. METHODS ATDC5 cells were randomly divided into a control group, a IL-1β group, a MFN-L group, a MFN-M group, a MFN-H group and a MFN+LY294002 group. Cells in the control group were treated with IL-1β (10 ng/mL) for 24 h; cells in the MFN-L group, the MFN-M group and the MFN-H group were pretreated with 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L mangiferin for 1 h respectively, and then they were treated with IL-1β (10 ng/mL) for 24 h; cells in the MFN+LY294002 group were treated with LY294002 (25 μmol/L) for 1 h, then mangiferin (20 μmol/L) and IL-1β (10 ng/mL) for 1 h and 24 h, respectively. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay and cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Colorimetric assay was conducted to measure the caspase-3 activity. The protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway related proteins were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS Compared to the control group, cell viability was significantly decreased; cell apoptosis, caspase-3 activity and Bax protein expression were significantly increased; the protein levels of Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-Akt were significantly decreased in the IL-1β group (all P<0.05). Compared to the IL-1β group, cell viability was significantly increased; cell apoptosis, caspase-3 activity and Bax protein expression were significantly decreased; the protein levels of Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-Akt were significantly increased in the MFN-L, the MFN-M and the MFN-H groups (all P<0.05). Compared to the MFN-M group, cell apoptosis and the protein level of Bax in the MFN+LY294002 group were significantly increased; the Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly decreased (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Mangiferin could attenuate IL-1β-induced apoptosis of the mice chondrocytes, which is mediated by the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.