Suramin increases cartilage proteoglycan accumulation in vitro and protects against joint damage triggered by papain injection in mouse knees in vivo.

Suramin prevented loss of articular cartilage in a mouse model of cartilage damage. The effects appear to be mediated by a functional increase of TIMP3 and a subsequent decrease in the activity of catabolic enzymes. Thus, suramin repositioning could be considered to prevent progressive cartilage damage and avoid evolution toward osteoarthritis.