Hinokitiol reduces matrix metalloproteinase expression by inhibiting Wnt/β-Catenin signaling in vitro and in vivo.

Objective: In this study, we investigated the effects of hinokitiol on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -3, -13, collagen type II (Col2a1) and β-catenin expressions in rat chondrocytes induced by interleukin-1β and in an experimental rat model induced by intra-articular injection of mono-iodoacetate (MIA) into the knee.

Methods: Chondrocytes were cultured from the articular cartilage of 2-week-old rats. Passaged chondrocytes were pretreated with hinokitiol for 2h followed by co-incubation with IL-1β for 24h.