Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables in the treatment of osteoarthritis (report)

This narrative review of the literature covers the mechanisms of action of avocado/soybean unsaponifiable mixture (ASU-E, Piascledine 300 from Laboratoires Expanscience) in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The search was performed in Pubmed and Scopus between January 1981 and December 2016. Keywords used were (Cartilage OR Bone OR Synovium) AND Avocado AND Soybean. 32 articles out-off 35 found have been considered. Only research articles published in English and French have been taken into account. The review has included eleven in vitro and animal studies investigating the biological effects of ASU-E. ASU-E stimulated proteoglycans synthesis in chondrocytes cultures and counteracted the effects of interleukin-1 on metalloproteases and inflammatory mediators. Some of these effects were associated with inhibition of nuclear factor-κB nuclear translocation and stimulation of transforming growth factor synthesis. ASU-E also positively modulated the altered phenotype of OA subchondral bone osteoblasts and reduced the production of collagenases by synovial cells. Thus, ASU-E has positive effects on the metabolic changes of synovium, subchondral bone and cartilage which are the main tissues involved in the pathophysiology of OA. These findings contribute to explain the beneficial effects of ASU-E in clinical trials.

Keywords: cartilage, bone, synovium, osteoarthritis, avocado, soybean.

For citation: Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables in the treatment of osteoarthritis (report). RMJ. 2020;7:19–24.