Ginkgo biloba leaf extract and ginkgolides can delay human osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative and progressive joint disease, with pathological changes including cartilage degeneration, joint capsule hypertrophy, osteophyte formation, and chronic synovitis. As the only cell type in mature cartilage tissue, chondrocytes play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the cartilage microenvironment. Numerous studies have shown that apoptosis of chondrocytes and excessive inflammatory response are the main causes of osteoarthritis. Maintaining chondrocyte activity and reducing cell apoptosis are important steps in preventing and treating osteoarthritis. Multiple cytokines are involved in regulating the apoptosis of chondrocytes and reducing the secretion of extracellular matrix, leading to the destruction of cartilage matrix and the occurrence of osteoarthritis. How to suppress the inflammatory overreaction of chondrocytes is particularly important for effective treatment of osteoarthritis.

Ginkgolides (GIN) is a terpenoid compound extracted from Ginkgo biloba leaves, consisting of sesquiterpene lactones and diterpene lactones. It is currently the only sesquiterpene lactone compound found in Ginkgo biloba leaves. Previous studies have shown that ginkgolides has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti ischemic, and cardiovascular protective effects, and pharmacokinetic studies have shown that ginkgolides has the characteristics of fast absorption, high bioavailability, wide distribution, and slow elimination. Experts from the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University have found through experiments that (1) Ginkgo biloba extract GIN can significantly promote the proliferation of human osteoarthritis chondrocytes (HC-OA), enhance cell viability, and the proliferative activity is significantly enhanced with the increase of GIN concentration. (2) GIN can significantly downregulate the expression of apoptosis genes BAX and Caspase-3, and significantly upregulate the expression of anti apoptosis gene BCL-2. (3) GIN can significantly inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors 1L-1βand TNF -α. In the current environment that tends towards extracorporeal treatment and intraluminal administration, the results of this experiment provide a theoretical basis and possibility for local injection therapy for osteoarthritis. Increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation activity of chondrocytes are key factors in the progression of osteoarthritis. GIN, as a potential candidate drug, can effectively slow down or even prevent the progression of osteoarthritis when administered locally.