Wufuyin Granules Ameliorate Cartilage Degeneration by Inhibiting Pyroptosis Through Suppressing the Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasomes

Cartilage degeneration is reported to be one of the pathological symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). Pyroptosis is highly involved in the development of cartilage degeneration and is regulated by the NLRP3 inflammasome. The present study aims to check the impact of Wufuyin granules (WFYG) against cartilage degeneration and explore the potential mechanism. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) model was constructed in rats. The IL-1β and IL-18 level in chondrocytes and peripheral blood of KOA rats was detected by ELISA. Western Blot, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence assay were applied to determine the IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 levels in chondrocytes. The ROS level was visualized via immunofluorescence assay. The pyroptosis rate of chondrocytes was evaluated by flow cytometry and AO/EB staining. The release of IL-1β and IL-18 was repressed by WFYG both in-vitro and in-vivo. The pyroptosis rate of chondrocytes isolated from KOA rats was suppressed by a high dosage of WFYG. ROS in the cartilage tissue was significantly inhibited by the introduction of WFYG. IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 were downregulated by WFYG both in-vitro and in-vivo. WFYG ameliorates cartilage degeneration by inhibiting pyroptosis, possibly through suppressing the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes.