Protective effects of colchicine against osteoarthritis in rat induced by monosodium iodoacetate

Abstract Background Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating condition that can severely limit an individual's mobility and quality of life. This study evaluated the efficacy of colchicine therapy in promoting cartilage healing in a rat model with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee OA. Histological and biochemical changes as well as semiquantitative radiographic characteristics were used to evaluate this. Methods An experimental knee OA model was induced by MIA in rats. Subsequently, 40 Wistar albino female rats were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of 10 rats: a negative control group, an osteoarthritic control group, an osteoarthritic reference group treated with meloxicam®, and an osteoarthritic group administered an intraperitoneal injection of colchicine. Body weight and knee diameter measurements were taken weekly. Semiquantitative radiographic imaging and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis were performed on serum samples to assess the levels of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) prior to the conclusion of the trial. Histological examination was conducted using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results Colchicine significantly reduced the osteoarthritic conditions after six weeks of supplementation. We observed decreased joint diameters in response to treatment in OA animals. Colchicine significantly decreased the IL-1β ( p  = 0.000) and increased the IL-10 ( p  = 0.000) in the serum of osteoarthritic rats in response to treatment in OA rats compared to the OA group with no treatment. Colchicine reduced the osteoarthritic rats' radiographic scores and enhanced the knee joint's histological structure. Conclusion The results indicate that colchicine could be beneficial in the treatment of rats with MIA-induced knee osteoarthritis, as it appears to postpone cartilage deterioration and reduce the activity of inflammatory mediators.