RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of salvia miltiorrhiza-asarum ointment (SMAO) plus Chinese medical massage on knee osteoarthritis in a rat model. METHODS: Hulth's method was used to establish a Sprague-Dawley rat model of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), collagen-II, aggrecan, interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The joint space was assessed by a Perlove X-ray system. Histopathology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin and Safranin O staining. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Notch1, MMP-13, collagen-II, and aggrecan were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: SMAO plus Chinese medical massage significantly decreased the levels of MMP-13, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6, and increased serum collagen-II and aggrecan levels. Pathological injury of the knee joint was improved by SMAO treatment. mRNA and protein expression of Notch1 and MMP-13 was remarkably downregulated, but collagen-II and aggrecan levels were significantly upregulated in cartilage tissues. CONCLUSION: SMAO combined with Chinese medical massage effectively relieves OA symptoms, which may involve inhibiting inflammation through the Notch1/MMP-13 signaling pathway.