A Novel Rose Hip Preparation with Enhanced Anti-Inflammatory and Chondroprotective Effects

Abstract EN

Rose hip powder (RHP) alleviates osteoarthritis (OA) due to its anti-inflammatory and cartilage-protective properties.

Substances contained in RHP might contribute to its clinical efficacy.

The activity of two RHP (i.e., RH-A, from the whole fruit, RH-B, from fruits without seeds) was investigated in human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) and primary chondrocytes (NHAC-kn).

RH-A and RH-B diminished the secretion of chemokines and cytokines in LPS/IFN- γ -activated PBL, including CCL5/RANTES, CXCL10/IP-10, interleukin- (IL-) 6, and IL-12.

Most effects were transcriptional, since gene expression levels were significantly influenced by RH-A and RH-B.

In IL-1 β treated normal chondrocytes (NHAC-kn), both RH preparations reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 and ADAMTS-4.

These changes are associated with diminished inflammatory damage or cartilage erosion.

Principal component analysis revealed that (1) RH-A and RH-B modified a large pattern of biomarkers, and (2) RH-B outperformed RH-A.

Furthermore, RH-B contained more chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory constituents than RH-A.

Thus, RHP contributed to restore cellular homeostasis in PBL and chondrocytes.

RH preparations from fruits without seeds are thus expected to have an improved OA-preventive or OA-therapeutic profile, as subsequently shown in a related clinical trial.