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Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of buganjianyao decoction (BJD) against IL-1ß-induced degeneration of endplate chondrocytes in a rat model, and the underlying mechanism of action. Methods: Rat endplate chondrocytes were cultured in 6-well tissue culture plates. Two types of serum were used: normal serum and BJD-containing serum. The endplate chondrocytes were grouped as follows: blank group given 0.5% FBS, induced group treated with 0.5% volume fraction of IL-1ß (10 µg/L), normal serum groups treated with 5, 10 and 20% volume fractions of normal serum, and BJD serum groups treated with 5, 10 and 20% volume fractions of BJD-containing serum. Cell Counting Kit- 8 (CCK-8) assay was used to measure the proliferation of endplate chondrocytes. The expressions of aggrecan and matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) were determined by ELISA, while reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to assay the mRNA expressions of IγB kinasea (IKKa) and NF-κB p65. Western blotting was used measure the protein expressions of IKKa and NF-κB p65. Results: Compared with normal serum group treated with a similar volume fraction, the proliferation capacity and aggrecan expression of BJD serum group increased at 24 h and 48 h post-treatment, while expressions of MMP-3, IKKa and NF-κB p65 decreased. The effects were more pronounced in the 20% volume fraction of BJD serum group than in the other groups. Conclusion: BJD exerts protective effect against IL-1ß-induced degeneration of endplate chondrocytes via inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. This finding provides an experimental basis for the potential development of BJD for the treatment of DDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]