Study on the protective mechanism of Baicalin on intervertebral disc degeneration in rats

doi:10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2026.1.09

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Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2026, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (1) : 53-60. DOI: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2026.1.09

Study on the protective mechanism of Baicalin on intervertebral disc degeneration in rats

Zhang Wei ^#, Zhang Yang ^#, Yu Yingnan, Zhang Haibin , Wang Peng, Wu Yimin*

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the therapeutic potential of Baicalein for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), based on the anti-inflammatory and extracellular matrix (ECM) protective effects of Baicalein in diseases such as osteoarthritis. Methods A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group, a model group, and a Baicalin-treated group. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of inflammatory cytokines and ECM-related proteins. Apoptosis in intervertebral disc tissues was assessed via immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining. Structural analysis of the intervertebral discs was performed using X-ray imaging, H&E staining, and Safranin O-Fast Green staining. Results Compared with the sham-operated group, the model group exhibited degenerative structural changes in intervertebral discs, elevated expression of inflammatory factors COX2 and iNOS, increased BAX/Bcl-2 ratio, heightened activity of Cleaved Caspase-3, upregulated expression of ECM-degrading protein MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5, and downregulated expression of ECM-synthesizing protein COL-2 and Aggrecan. Baicalin treatment ameliorated the degenerative changes in IDD, suppressed inflammatory responses, reduced apoptosis markers, decreased expression of ECM-degrading proteins, and increased expression of ECM-synthesizing proteins. Conclusions Baicalin alleviates IDD symptoms in a rat model by inhibiting inflammation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix degradation.

Key words

Baicalin / / / Intervertebral disc degeneration / / / Inflammation / / / Apoptosis / / / Extracellular matrix metabolism

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Zhang Wei , Zhang Yang, Yu Yingnan, Zhang Haibin , Wang Peng, Wu Yimin. Study on the protective mechanism of Baicalin on intervertebral disc degeneration in rats[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy. 2026, 44(1): 53-60 https://doi.org/10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2026.1.09

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