Effect of curcumin on prostaglandin E2, matrix metalloproteinase-3 and proteoglycan release in articular cartilage

Three-dimensional confocal reconstruction of z stacks through equine cartilage explants (15μm sections) after five days in culture. Cells were cultured in media with 2% penicillin/streptomycin and 25 µM curcumin. Green staining (calcein AM) indicates live metabolizing cells.

Three-dimensional confocal reconstruction of z stacks through equine cartilage explants (15μm sections) after five days in culture. Cells were cultured in media with 10ng/ml IL-1β, 2% penicillin/streptomycin and 100 µM curcumin. Green staining (calcein AM) indicates live metabolizing cells and red staining (ethidium homodimer-1) highlights the nuclei of dead cells.

Three-dimensional confocal reconstruction of z stacks through equine cartilage explants (15μm sections) after five days in culture. Cells were cultured in media with 2% penicillin/streptomycin and 100 µM curcumin. Green staining (calcein AM) indicates live metabolizing cells and red staining (ethidium homodimer-1) highlights the nuclei of dead cells.

Three-dimensional confocal reconstruction of z stacks through equine cartilage explants (15μm sections) after five days in culture. Cells were cultured in media with 2% penicillin/streptomycin and sodium nitroprusside (positive control). Green staining (calcein AM) indicates live metabolizing cells and red staining (ethidium homodimer-1) highlights the nuclei of dead cells.

Cytotoxicity values of various compounds on equine chondrocytes. Values refer to percentage of dead cells counted. SNP – sodium nitroprusside; NSAID - carprofen; DMSO - dimethyl sulfoxide.

Micromolar values refer to curcumin concentrations. Days refer to the time cell death was measured after compound exposure. Proteoglycan (GAG) and supernatant release (uM/ml) of equine cartilage explants in response to various compounds.

SNP – sodium nitroprusside; IL-β – interleukin beta. Micromolar values refer to curcumin concentrations. Quantification of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-3) blots in three different samples of equine cartilage explant secretome (culture supernatants).

Effect of various compounds on proteoglycan (GAG) release (uM/ml) in three equine cartilage explants. SNP – sodium nitroprusside; NSAID - carprofen; DMSO - dimethyl sulfoxide. Micromolar values refer to curcumin concentrations.

Effect of various compounds on prostaglandin (PGE) and proteoglycan (GAG) release (uM/ml) in three IL-β stimulated equine cartilage explants. SNP – sodium nitroprusside; NSAID - carprofen; DMSO - dimethyl sulfoxide. Micromolar values refer to curcumin concentrations.