Abstract:

Objective To observe the effect of Gu Bi mixture，which has the function of promoting blood circulation on the apoptosis of chondrocytes and the expression level of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway ⁃ related pro⁃ teins in knee osteoarthritis（KOA）mice. Methods To cut the anterior cruciate ligament was used to establish in KOA model mice. Eight weeks after the modeling，the Gu Bi mixture group used Gu Bi mixture to fill the stomach， Glucosamine Indomethacin Entric⁃coated Tablets group in mice with Glucosamine Indomethacin Entric⁃coated Tab⁃ lets dissolved in same volume of distilled water to fill the stomach，and normal saline（NS）group used equal vol⁃ ume of NS for gastric lavage，and the cartilage of both knee joints were tested. The morphology of KOA cartilage model was observed by toluidine blue staining，and apoptosis of chondrocytes in each group was detected by TU⁃ NEL method and expression levels of PI3K/AKT and mTOR proteins in chondrocytes in each group were detected by Western blotting. Results Compared with the NS group，the toluidine blue staining was deeper and the carti⁃ lage tissue was significantly improved in the Gu Bi mixture group and the Glucosamine Indomethacin Entric⁃coated Tablets group. Apoptosis of chondrocyte was reduced and the expressions of PI3K，AKT and mTOR proteins in the articular cartilage of the mice in the Gu Bi mixture group were decreased（P < 0.05）；PI3K/AKT and mTOR pro⁃ tein expression in articular cartilage of mice in the Glucosamine Indomethacin Entric ⁃ coated Tablets group de⁃ creased（P < 0.01）. Conclusion Both Gu Bi mixture and Glucosamine Indomethacin Entric⁃coated Tablets had significant improvement effects on KOA mice chondrocytes，，Gu Bi mixture could inhibit the PI3K/AKT signaling pathways，reduce apoptosis of chondrocytes，and to further remit knee osteoarthritis.

Key words:

knee osteoarthritis, apoptosis of chondrocytes, method of promoting blood circulation, Gu Bi mixture, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway