Key points from article :
A natural herbal compound reduces senescence and intervertebral disc degeneration in mice.
Like all tissues in the body, Intervertebral discs degrade with age.
Senescent NP cells contribute to local inflammation, which, in turn, causes an extracellular matrix (ECM) imbalance.
Researchers investigated the therapeutic abilities of dehydrocostus lactone (DHE).
NP cells were used in vitro to investigate the cytotoxicity and senotherapeutic effects of DHE.
While the highest concentrations have cytotoxic effects, the lower doses did show marked benefits.
The NF-κB, MAPK, and dsDNA-STING pathways were responsible for the therapeutic benefits seen with DHE.
DHE-treated mice had better spinal structure as scored using both X-ray and H&E staining.
Inflammation was reduced (as measured via TNF-α and IL-1β), and ECM dysregulation was improved.
Results were promising, but the animal model was of acute injury.
Study by Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine published in Frontiers in Pharmacology.
