Effect of Serum Containing Bushen Prescription on Chondrocyte Proliferation

[Objective] To observe the effect of serum containing Bushen prescription (BP) on inhibition of chondrocyte proliferation and nitric oxide (NO) production in chondrocyte induced by interleukin-1 (IL-1). [Methods] Four New Zealand rabbits were administered BP 2.5mL (1.15kg/L) for 3 days for the preparation of BP-containing serum. Rabbit chondrocytes were cultured in-vitro and were added with DMEM culture containing IL-1 1, 10 and 20 μg/L to examined the inhibition concentration of IL-1 for chondrocyte proliferation. After then, BP group was added with 20 μg/L IL-1 and various concentrations of BP-containing serum and the model group with 20 μg/L IL-1 and various concentrations of blank serum. Alter 3-day culture, chondrocyte proliferation were dectected by thiazolyl blue colorimetry (MTT) and NO content by Griess method. [Results] The inhibition concentration of IL-1 for chondrocyte proliferation was 20 μg/L; various concentrations of BP-containing serum could counteract chondrocyte proliferation and inhibit NO pnxluction in chondrocyte induced by IL-1. [Conclusion] BP can counteract chondrocyte proliferation directly or indirectly by the mediation of NO, which may be one of its therapeutic mechanisms in treating osteoarthritis.