Acacetin targets STING to alleviate the destabilization of the medial meniscus-induced osteoarthritis in mice

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disorder affecting about 7% of the global population, primarily characterized by the gradual loss of articular cartilage. This degeneration results from local inflammation, matrix depletion, and direct cartilage damage. A critical element in this process is the activation of the stimulator of the interferon genes (STING) pathway. Emerging evidence highlights its potential as a therapeutic target, with natural products showing promise as inhibitors. Our study centers on Acacetin, a basic unit of polyketides known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Prior research has highlighted its potential interaction with STING based on the structure. Thus, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Acacetin as a STING inhibitor and its protective role against OA. In vitro experiments showed that Acacetin pretreatment not only mitigated interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced cytotoxicity but also decreased the inflammatory response and degeneration in chondrocytes stimulated IL-1β. In vivo studies revealed that Acacetin administration significantly reduced articular cartilage destruction, abnormal bone remodeling, and osteophyte formation in a model of OA induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). Mechanistically, Acacetin was found to interact directly with STING, and inhibit IL-1β-induced activation of STING, along with the subsequent phosphorylation of the TBK1/NF-κB pathway in chondrocytes. In conclusion, our findings establish Acacetin as an effective inhibitor of STING that protects chondrocytes from IL-1β-induced damage and slows the progression of OA in mice.