Influence of Xiaoyao Powder on rabbit's knee cartilage tissue gene apoptosis mitochondrial pathway

Objective: To explore the possible mechanism of Xiaoyao Powder on reducing female rabbit knee articular cartilage apoptosis cell. Method: 40 New Zealand rabbits were modeled through operation for knee joint instability, a week later, they were divided randomly into four groups: traditional Chinese medicine group, western medicine group, mixed group and control group, 10 in each group. Each rabbit was forced to walk for 4 weeks, then was given medicine or saline perfusion by oral gavage for 8 weeks. 12 weeks later, the animals were executed, and the knee cartilage tissue apoptosis gene expressions were detected by immunohistochemical method. Results: The apoptosis expression Bcl-2 of traditional Chinese medicine group, western medicine group and mixed group were higher than control group, and the expression of Bax, Caspase-3 and Cytochrome C were lower, and there was significant difference. There was no significant difference among traditional Chinese medicine group, western medicine group and mixed group. Conclusion: The Xiaoyao Powder could decrease knee articular cartilage gene apoptosis expression of Bax, Caspase-3 and Cytochrome C and increase expression of Bcl-2, and this might be a possible mechanism of Xiaoyao Powder in reducing knee articular cartilage apoptosis cells in rabbits.