Seda KOCAK, Ekin CELIK, Kubra OZTURK
Experimental and Applied Medical Science - 2026;7(1):56-85
Objective: The aim of this review is to systematically evaluate plant-based therapies used in monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee osteoarthritis (OA) models in terms of experimental design, routes of administration, dosing strategies, and targeted molecular mechanisms. Method: This study was designed as a narrative review. A total of 66 preclinical studies published in the PubMed database that examined the efficacy of plants or herbal products in MIA-induced knee OA models were evaluated. The studies were analyzed based on plant species, routes of administration, MIA doses, solvents used, sampling time points, and targeted molecular pathways. Findings: The studies reviewed revealed that plant-based therapies exert their effects through multiple biological mechanisms, primarily through inflammation suppression, reduction of pain behaviors, and protection of the cartilage matrix. The most frequently targeted molecular pathways were NF-kappaB and MAPK signaling pathways, while antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects were evaluated in a more limited number of studies. Conclusion: Plant-based therapies in MIA-induced OA models show promising results at the preclinical level. However, heterogeneity in experimental design and molecular analyses necessitates further comprehensive and standardized studies to support the translational potential of these agents.
