The effect of Punicic Acid (pomegranate seed oil) on metalloproteinase genes (MMP-1, 3) in THP-1 cells stimulated with LPS compared with steroidal and non-steroidal drugs.

Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease for which there are currently no disease-modifying drugs available. Osteoarthritis (OA) affects most of the elderly population, the main features of which are cartilage damage. Degradation of the cartilage extracellular matrix is a central feature of the disease and is widely thought to be mediated by proteinases that degrade structural components of the matrix. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of human zinc endopeptidases that play significant roles in inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis.

In this experiential laboratory study. punicic acid of pomegranate seed oil was purchased from Clarodan Kerman Co,. THP-1 cells (Pasteur Institute of Iran) were cultured and administered with concentration of 8 to 100 μg/ml (in 24h, 48h, and 72h). Cellular toxicity of punicic acid against THP-1 was estimated using the MTT assay and to measure the inhibitory effects of PA on Matrix metalloproteinase proteinase activity, ELISA and Western blot, migration and invasion tests were performed. Data were analyzed using T.student and ANOVA.

Western blotting and ELISA showed inhibitory effect of punicic acid on the expression of MMP-1 but not in MMP-3. Punicic acid of pomegranate seed oil shows the most cellular toxicity effect at lc50=50 micrograms per milliliters and 72 hours after treatment.

According to effect of Punicic Acid on MMP-1 expression, this material can be used as a potential candidate for further studies on the other MMPS and its replacing the chemical drugs.