Esculetin (dihydroxycoumarin) inhibits the production of matrix metalloproteinases in cartilage explants, and oral administration of its prodrug, CPA-926, suppresses cartilage destruction in rabbit experimental osteoarthritis
Objective. To investigate the in vitro effects of 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin (esculetin) on the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in rabbit articular cartilage, and the in vivo effects of orally administered CPA-926, a prodrug of esculetin, on cartilage destruction in rabbit experimental osteoarthritis (OA). Methods. In vitro studies were performed using rabbit articular cartilage explants.
