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Introduction: Migration and invasion features, which were associated with inflammatory response, play a vital role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Metalloproteinases (MMPs) as one of the most important catabolic bio-markers play a critical role in THP-1 invasion and migration induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-invasive and anti-migratory properties of Zizyphus jujuba seed essential oil by inhibiting metalloproteinase 1, 2, 3, and 9, which are expressed during the development of osteoarthritis.
 
Materials & Methods: The seeds of Z. jujuba were collected from Isfahan. The seeds were separated and the essence was extracted in the Center of Genetic Resources of Iran. The effect of Zizyphus jujuba seed essential oil on cell viability, migration, and invasion of THP-1 cells was analyzed using MTT assay and transwell chambers assay, respectively. The expression of MMP-1, 2, 3, and 9 genes was evaluated by Real-time PCR, protein expression with Western blotting and ELISA, and the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was investigated by gelatin-zymography.
 
Findings: Zizyphus jujuba seed essential oil (50 μg/ml) could remarkably suppress the migratory and invasive capacity of THP-1cells stimulated with LPS compared with the control group (P<0.05). Results showed that Zizyphus jujuba seed essential oil significantly suppressed LPS-stimulated THP-1 migration and invasion by inhibiting MMP-9 expression and activity (P<0.05).
 
Discussion & Conclusions: Zizyphus jujuba seed essential oil could inhibit THP-1 migration and invasion induced by LPS by suppressing MMP-9 expression, providing a theoretical foundation for the clinical treatment of osteoarthritis with Zizyphus jujuba seed essential oil.