Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by chronic inflammation, cartilage degradation, and pain, for which current treatments remain largely palliative. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of Salvianolic Acid B (SAL-B), a bioactive compound derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza, using both an in vitro model of IL-1β-stimulated human chondrocytes (C28/I2) and an in vivo papain-induced rat model of osteoarthritis. SAL-B was not cytotoxic at concentrations up to 50 μM, and treatment with 10 and 25 μM SAL-B significantly reduced IL-1β-induced expression of pro-inflammatory and cartilage-degrading genes, including IL-6, COX-2, NF-κB, and several matrix metalloproteinases. In vivo, SAL-B treatment improved motor coordination and mechanical and thermal pain thresholds compared to untreated osteoarthritic rats. These findings suggest that SAL-B exerts anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects and may represent a promising candidate for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Date of publication
2026
Document Type
Thesis
Language
english
Persistent identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/10950/5122
Degree
Master of Science in Biology
Recommended Citation
Sabella, Hope, "The Role of Salvianolic Acid B in Alleviating Osteoarthritis" (2026). Biology Theses. Paper 103.
http://hdl.handle.net/10950/5122
Included in
Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons, Biology Commons, Cell Biology Commons, Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons, Pharmacology Commons