Kartogenin induces chondrocyte differentiation from hMSCs by enhancing the nuclear localization of CBFβ, and protects articular chondrocytes. Kartogenin promotes the type-I collagen synthesis of dermal fibroblasts via activation of the smad4/smad5 pathway without obvious cytotoxicity on fibroblasts’ viability, morphology and survival.
In vivo
Kartogenin promotes cartilage repair in collagenase VII (10 μM)– and surgery (100 μM)-induced OA models in mice. Kartogenin (100 nM) also stimulats collagen synthesis in the mouse dermis. In addition, Kartogenin stimulates mouse limb skeletal growth and synovial joint development.