Marine Drugs (May 2024)

Protective Effects of an Oligo-Fucoidan-Based Formula against Osteoarthritis Development via iNOS and COX-2 Suppression following Monosodium Iodoacetate Injection

  • Yi-Fen Chiang,
  • Ko-Chieh Huang,
  • Kai-Lee Wang,
  • Yun-Ju Huang,
  • Hsin-Yuan Chen,
  • Mohamed Ali,
  • Tzong-Ming Shieh,
  • Shih-Min Hsia

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/md22050211
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 5
p. 211

Abstract

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating joint disorder characterized by cartilage degradation and chronic inflammation, accompanied by high oxidative stress. In this study, we utilized the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA model to investigate the efficacy of oligo-fucoidan-based formula (FF) intervention in mitigating OA progression. Through its capacity to alleviate joint bearing function and inflammation, improvements in cartilage integrity following oligo-fucoidan-based formula intervention were observed, highlighting its protective effects against cartilage degeneration and structural damage. Furthermore, the oligo-fucoidan-based formula modulated the p38 signaling pathway, along with downregulating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, contributing to its beneficial effects. Our study provides valuable insights into targeted interventions for OA management and calls for further clinical investigations to validate these preclinical findings and to explore the translational potential of an oligo-fucoidan-based formula in human OA patients.

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