Fig. 1

Chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of AT on IL-1β-induced chondrocytes in vitro. A CCK8 assay was used to detect the optimum concentration of AT and the effect of AT in IL-1β-induced chondrocyte proliferation. B and C Western blot and real-time RT-PCR were performed to determine the expression of inflammatory factors, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. D and E Real-time RT-PCR and western blot were performed to determine the expression of ADAMTS5, MMP-3, and MMP-13, which are cartilage matrix-related proteins. F Immunofluorescence staining for MMP-3, phalloidin was stained for cellular actin, and DAPI was stained for nuclear. Control: without IL-1β; IL-1β group: with 10 ng/mL; IL-1β + AT group: with 10 ng/mL IL-1β and 20 μM AT. All experiments were performed in triplicate. Data represent mean ± SD (n = 3), *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001