OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Fructus psoraleae on the differentiation of cultured osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cell isolated from neonatal mouse's calvarium.

METHODF. psoraleae preparation was extracted with distilled water. A mouse osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 was used as a cell model for screening potency. Cultured MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were divided into 4 groups: control and F. psoraleae extract 0.02, 0.2, 2 (crude drug) g x L(-1), change the medium and extract every 3 days. The content of ALP and type I collagen were measured. The expression of ALP, type I collagen and osteocalcin mRNA in MC3T3-E1 cell was detected by real-time PCR.

RESULTThe activity of ALP was stimulated by extract of F. psoralea at doses 0.2 g x L(-1), and the content of type I collagen was encouraged at doses 0.2 g x L(-1) . The extract of F. psoralea enhanced the expression of ALP, type I collagen and osteocalcin mRNA in MC3T3-E1 cell. The expression of ALP mRNA was enhanced by extract of F. psoralea at doses 0.2 g x L(-1) for 7-14 d, and the expression of type I collagen and osteocalcin mRNA was enhanced at doses 0.2 g x L(-1) for 14-21 days.

CONCLUSIONF. psoralea can stimulate the differentiation of osteoblasts in vitro. It will offer a reference for the active mechanism research.