Syringic Acid Attenuates the IL-1β-Induced Akt Pathway in Chondrocyte ATDC5 Cells

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic progressive joint ailment that is largely predominant worldwide. However, it typically gets worse over time, occurs more frequently, and becomes more crippling. OBJECTIVES: Syringic acid (SA) is a well-known phenolic compound reported to suppress inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis of various cancer cells. Since the role of SA in OA remains unknown, there is a need to hypothesize the anti-inflammatory activities of SA on IL- 1β-induced ATDC5 chondrocyte-like cells and to elucidate its protective action against OA. METHODS: The cytotoxicity, inflammatory mediators, mRNA expression of MMPs, ADAMTS, COX-2, and Akt/NF-κB protein expression of SA activity on ATDC5 cells were examined through CCK-8 assay, ELISA, RT-qPCR, and western blot. It was found that SA (10, 20, and 30 μM) did not show any inhibitory effects on the viability of the ATDC5 cells in a concentrationdependent manner. RESULTS: SA markedly reduced the inflammatory mediators, cytokines, PGE2, MMPs, COX-2, and ADAMTS in a concentration-dependent manner. Likewise, SA expressively attenuated IL- 1β-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and NF-κB activation in IL-1β- induced ATDC5 chondrocytes. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that SA is a novel candidate applicable for the treatment of OA.