Fangchinoline alleviates the progression of osteoarthritis through the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway

Osteoarthritis is a progressive, chronic joint disease characterized by pain, stiffness, and limited mobility, which can lead to physical disability in severe cases. Owing to its complex pathological features, effective treatments for osteoarthritis are lacking. Fangchinoline is a natural alkaloid found in the tuberous roots of plants belonging to the Menispermaceae family. Fangchinoline reportedly possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties; however, its role in osteoarthritis progression remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the protective effects and potential mechanisms of fangchinoline against osteoarthritis. In vitro, we confirmed that fangchinoline alleviates interleukin-1β-induced cartilage inflammation, reduces the levels of metabolic factors, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase and matrix metalloproteinase-3, and modulates the expression of aggrecan, which enhances extracellular matrix synthesis. In vivo, we demonstrated that fangchinoline can ameliorate articular cartilage degeneration and reduce inflammatory destruction in a destabilization of the medial meniscus mouse model. The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in osteoarthritis has been a primary target for drug development, and our results suggest that fangchinoline exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activity of IKKα/β. Using an in vitro human cartilage culture model, we further validated that fangchinoline significantly mitigates cartilage degeneration and inflammation by modulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. This evidence highlights its dual action in preserving cartilage integrity and suppressing inflammatory responses. These findings collectively underscore fangchinoline as a potent inhibitor of NF-κB, capable of attenuating key pathological processes associated with osteoarthritis. Therefore, fangchinoline emerges as a promising therapeutic candidate for slowing the progression of osteoarthritis.