Isoquercitrin ameliorates chondrocyte dysfunction in osteoarthritis by targeting AKT1-mediated mitochondrial dynamics regulation

Osteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent degenerative joint disorder, is driven by chondrocyte anabolic-catabolic imbalance, aberrant inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Disease-modifying therapies targeting these pathological processes remain scarce, limiting effective clinical intervention. Herein, we demonstrate an isoquercitrin (IQ)-based chondroprotective strategy that rectifies osteoarthritis-related chondrocyte impairment by targeting AKT1. IQ first reverses IL-1β-induced chondrocyte proliferation arrest, shifts metabolic homeostasis toward anabolism, and mitigates pro-inflammatory responses. It simultaneously restores mitochondrial homeostasis by normalizing dynamic balance. Mechanistically, IQ binds to AKT1 with high affinity, and AKT1 overexpression abolishes its protective effects—confirming AKT1 as a key mediator. This approach re-establishes chondrocyte functional homeostasis by coupling anti-inflammatory, metabolic-regulatory, and mitochondrial-stabilizing activities. This work highlights IQ as a promising candidate for osteoarthritis intervention and provides a mechanistic framework linking AKT1 targeting to chondroprotection.