This study investigates the effect of supercritical fluid extract (CMPB803-C) of Lithospermum erythrorhizon,shikonin and acetylshikonin isolated from Lithospermum erythrorhizon on IL-1β-induced chondrocytes and monosodiumiodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis in rat. Shikonin (50μM) and acetylshikonin (3μM) treatment reduced signifi-cantly the mRNA expression and enzyme activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, −3 and −13 in IL-1β-inducedSW1353 chondrosarcoma cells. The chondro-protective effects of CMPB803-C and acetylshikonin were than analyzed in arat OA model using a single intra-articular injection of MIA (1㎎) in the right knee joint. CMPB803-C (200㎎/㎏) or ace-tylshikonin (5㎎/㎏) was orally administered daily for two weeks starting after 1 week of MIA injection. In the histologicalobservation, CMPB803-C and acetylshikonin clearly improved OA lesions being comparable to or better that control group.Our results demonstrated that CMPB803-C and acetylshikonin as active compound of Lithospermum erythrorhizon have astrong chondro-protective effect in OA rats, which likely attributes to its anti-inflammatory activity and inhibition ofMMPs production.

• 김금숙(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Geum Soog Kim
• 김화진(㈜와이디생명과학연구소) | Hwa Jin Kim
• 이대영(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Dae Young Lee
• 최승민(㈜와이디생명과학연구소) | Seung Min Choi
• 이승은(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Seung Eun Lee
• 노형준(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Hyung Jun Noh
• 최종길(㈜와이디생명과학연구소) | Jong Gil Choi
• 최수임(㈜와이디생명과학연구소) | Soo Im Choi Corresponding author