Ginsenoside Compound K Ameliorates Osteoarthritis by Inhibiting the Chondrocyte Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated IRE1-TXNIP-NLRP3 Axis and Pyroptosis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease, and studies have reported that the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in chondrocytes caused by the cartilage tissue damage could mediate the activation of Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes through inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1 alpha) and thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP). Ginsenoside compound K (CK) has an inhibitory effect on IRE1 alpha activation. However, the role of IRE1 alpha-TXNIP and its interaction with CK are still unclear. In this study, we examined the role and mechanism of action of CK in OA. We found that CK ameliorated OA and ERS in IL-1 beta-treated chondrocytes and a monoiodoacetate-induced rat OA model. The effect of CK on inflammation, pyroptosis, and ERS was blocked by the ERS inducer tunicamycin. In conclusion, CK hindered OA progression by inhibiting the ERS-IRE1 alpha TXNIP-NLRP3 axis. Overall, our data indicate that CK could be useful in the treatment of OA and other chronic inflammatory diseases.