Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of gypenosides ( GP ) on the osteoarthritis rats. Methods The experimental rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose GP groups, and diclofenac group. The pathological damage of the cartilages was detected by HE staining and alician blue staining. The BV/ TV, Tb. N, Tb. Sp and Tb. Th values were measured by CT. The expression levels of cartilage matrix related proteins and SIRT1 / AMPK were detected by Western blotting. The inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indexes levels in cartilage tissues and serum were determined by ELISA. Results The inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis of cartilage tissues were improved significantly with an increased treatment of GP. The BV/ TV, Tb. Th and Tb. N values were significantly increased, while the Tb. Sp value was significantly decreased (P < 0. 05). The expression levels of SOX-9, Aggreca and Collagen Ⅱ in the cartilage matrix were significantly increased (P< 0. 05). The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in serum and cartilage tissues were significantly decreased (P< 0. 05). The levels of SOD and GSH-Px in cartilage tissues were significantly increased, while the MDA level was significantly decreased (P< 0. 05). The expression levels of p-AMPK, SITR1 and PGC1α in cartilage cells were significantly increased (P< 0. 05). Conclusion GP can reduce the oxidative stress and repair the cartilage damage by activating AMPK/ SITR1. 

Key words: AMP-activated protein kinase, silencing information regulator1, gypenosides, osteoarthritis, oxidative stress, cartilage damage