Potential Mechanisms of Ferroptosis and Related Crosstalk in Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis and Current Research Status of Acupuncture

Osteoarthritis (OA) imposes a substantial burden on both patients and society, with acupuncture being recognized as an effective treatment for OA. In recent years, the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of OA have been progressively elucidated, and ferroptosis has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in OA. Exploring the relationship between acupuncture and ferroptosis in OA could help explain the mechanism of acupuncture in OA treatment. This review summarizes the molecular mechanism of ferroptosis and its crosstalk with inflammation, apoptosis, Autophagy, and other mechanisms, in order to find circumstantial evidence for acupuncture regulation of ferroptosis in OA, and compiles direct experimental evidence supporting acupuncture's modulation of ferroptosis in OA. Based on this, the potential of acupuncture to slow OA progression via ferroptosis regulation is further discussed.