Aim To investigate the effects of osthol on bone marrow stromal stem cells in vitro under the con-ditions of the ability to differentiate into osteoblasts and the case of proliferation. Methods The rat bone marrow sample was obtained,and the all bone marrow cell culture methods were used to separate and collect the stratum of mononuclear cells. The cells were cultured in DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum. Three days later the culture medium was changed for the first time. Nine days later,serial subcultivation proceeded. The final concentration of osthol was 1 ? 10 -4,1 ? 10 -5,1 ? 10 -6,1 ? 10 -7 mol?L -1 respectively. MTT method was adopted in proliferation analysis. Under the induced condition,the Alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium salt sediment yield and osteocalcin were meas-ured on 4th,8th,12th,16th day. On the fifteenth day,his-tochemistry dyeing proceeded for calcified tubercle. Total RNA was isolated and the gene expression of bFGF, IGF-1,Osterix and Runx-2 was investigated by RT-Real Time PCR. Results The BMSCs proliferation was refrained by osthol dose-dependently. But it evidently led to osteogenesis. The ALP activity,calcium salt sediment yield and osteocalcin were raised,and calcified tubercle amount was increased. Besides,it also could enhance the mRNA level of bFGF,IGF-1,Osterix and Runx-2. Conclusion The osthol with final concentra-tion of 1 ? 10 -5 mol?L -1 can markedly promote BM-SCs differentiation to osteogenesis. which proves osthol is an active constituent of the traditional Chinese medi-cine Common Cnidium Fruit.

This study is to investigate the effects on the expression of iNOS and production of NO in the osteogenic differentiation process of rat bone marrow stromal cells (rBMSCs) by icariside II. rBMSCs were cultured by adherence screening method. When the culture dishes were covered with 80% cells, the osteogenic induced cultures were adopted. Icariside II was supplemented into the culture at 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1). The activity of iNOS, content of NO and osteogenic differentiation markers including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, CFU-FALP and mineralized bone nodules were compared among the icariside II-supplemented group, L-NMAE group, icariside II + L-NAME group and the control. Total RNA was isolated and the gene expression of iNOS, Osterix and Runx-2 was investigated by real-time PCR. Total protein was also isolated and the secretion of iNOS and collagen I was examined by Western blotting. Icariside II can significantly improved ALP activity, CFU-FALP amount and mineralized nodules. Besides, the mRNA level of factors related to the osteogenic differentiation includes Osterix and Runx-2 also enhanced. The secretion of collagen I also promoted significantly. But all of these effects can be inhibited by L-NAME which can specifically inhibit the activity of iNOS. Icariside II enhances the osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs significantly, but if the activity of iNOS was blocked by L-NAME, the osteogenic differentiation markers decrease accompanied with iNOS and NO decrease, suggesting that icariside II stimulates the osteogenic differentiation via enhancing the activity of iNOS and promoting the generation of NO.

Aim To investigate the role of Wnt/β-cate-nin signaling pathway on the baicalin-induced osteo-genic differentiation in rat bone marrow derived mesen-chymal stem cells ( rBMSC ) . Methods rBMSC was isolated and cultured by adherence screening method. Alkaline phosphatase ( ALP) amount, CFU-FALP and mineralized nodules were compared between each ba-icalin group and vehicle control group at different time points. Real time q-PCR was employed to evaluate the mRNA level of Wnt signaling-related marker ( Wnt10a, GSK-3β,β-catenin and LEF1) after baica-lin treatment. Protein expression of β-catenin and Runx2 was measured by Western blot. Results Ba-icalin significantly increased ALP activities from day 3 to day 7 . The formation of CFU-FALP and mineralized nodules remarkably increased after rBMSC was treated with1, 10, 50 μmol · L-1 baicalin. mRNA levels of Wnt10a, β-catenin, GSK-3β, LEF1and osteocalcin were enhanced significantly in baicalin-treated group compared to control group. Protein expression of β-catenin and Runx2 was also elevated. Conclusion Baicalin ( 0. 1 to 50 μmol · L-1 ) promotes the osteo-genic differentiation and maturation of rBMSC, in which Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway might be in-volved.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of icariin on the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells (rBMSCs).

METHODrBMSCs were cultured by adherence screening method. Icariin was supplemented into the culture at 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1). The osteogenic differentiation markers including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, CFU-F(ALP) and mineralized bone modulus were compared between the icariin-supplemented group and the control group. Total RNA was isolated and the gene expression of bFGF, IGF-1, Osterix(OSX) and Runx-2 was investigated by RT Real-time PCR.

RESULTIcariin significantly improved ALP activity, CFU-F(ALP) amounts and mineralized modulus. It also can enhance the mRNA level of bFGF, IGF-1, Osterix and Runx-2.

CONCLUSIONIcariin enhances the osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs significantly, which suggested that icariin has the potentiality to be a new drug of anti-osteoporosis or fracture healing.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Calcification, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigated the effects of isopsoralen on bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSCs) differentiate and proliferate in vitro.

METHODThe stratum of mononuclear cells were separated and collected from the rat bone marrow sample by the all bone marrow cell culture methods. The cells were cultured in DMEM contained 10% fetal bovine serum. The culture medium was changed after three days. Nine days later, cells were treatment by isopsoralen with the concentration 1 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-4), 1 x10(-6), 1 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1). MTT method was used for the proliferated analyzing. Under the induced condition, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium salt sediment yield and osteocalcin were measured at the 4, 8, 12, 16 d. At the fifteenth day, histochemistry dyeing for calcified tubercle and ALP was proceeded. Total RNA was isolated and the gene expression of bFGF, IGF-1, Osterix and Runx-2 were investigated by Real Time PCR.

RESULTThe BMSCs proliferation refrained by isopsoralen with dose dependent. But it significantly enhanced osteogenesis, which was represented by the promotion of the ALP activity, calcium salt sediment yield, osteocalcin, and calcified tubercle amount. Besides, it also enhanced the mRNA level of bFGF, IGF-1, Osterix and Runx-2.

CONCLUSIONThe isopsoralen with the concentration 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) can promote BMSCs differentiation to osteoblasts. It demonstrated the isopsoralen can prevent antiosteoporotic, which is an active part of the traditional Chinese medicine psoralea corylifolia.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; genetics ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; genetics ; Furocoumarins ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; genetics ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; metabolism ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo detect the estrogenic activity of genistein and apigenin with ER-positive cell line MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

METHODMTT method was adopted to study the impact of genistein and apigenin on MCF-7 proliferation in vitro. Real-time RT-PCR method was used to detect their impact on ERalpha, ERbeta, PR and PS2 mRNA expression levels.

RESULTGenistein and apigenin promoted the proliferation of MCF-7. Genistein 1 x 10(-10) mol x L(-1) group showed a significant increase in the expression of ERa mRNA levels or a 17. 76 times more than the control group and a 1.75 times more than the E2 group. Apigenin notably promoted the PR mRNA expression or a 4. 57 times more than the control group and a 1.11 times more than the E2 group. Both of them had different effect in promoting ERalpha, ERbeta, PR or PS2 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONBoth genistein and apigenin have a strong estrogen-like effect. Although they have different effect in promoting estrogenic response genes (such as ERa, ERbeta, PR and PS2 mRNA), genistein shows a stronger activity than apigenin. It also suggests that the signaling pathways of phytoestrogens showing estrogen-like effect are not completely identical with estrogen pathways. The B-cycle position of flavonoids is one of the key sites to estrogen-like activity, and isoflavones (cycle B on site 3) show stronger estrogen-like activity than flavones (B-cycle lies in site 2).

Apigenin ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Phytoestrogens ; pharmacology ; Presenilin-2 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of atractylodin on inflammatory injury of periodontal tissue and alveolar bone loss in periodontitis rats. METHODS A total of 144 SD rats were divided into control group （intragastric and intraperitoneal injection of normal saline）， model group （intragastric and intraperitoneal injection of normal saline）， atractylodin low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （intraperitoneal injection of 6.665， 13.33， and 26.66 mg/kg atractylodin）， metronidazole group （positive control group， intragastric injection of 0.05 g/kg metronidazole， intraperitoneal injection of normal saline）， AMD3100 [stromal cell-derived factor-1 （SDF-1）/CXC chemokine receptor-4 （CXCR4） pathway inhibitor] group （intragastric injection of 1 mg/kg AMD3100， intraperitoneal injection of normal saline）， atractylodin high-dose+AMD 3100 group （intraperitoneal injection of 26.66 mg/kg atractylodin， intragastric injection of 1 mg/kg AMD3100）， with 18 rats in each group. Except for the control group， all other groups of rats were inoculated with Porphyromonas gingivalis to construct a periodontitis model. After successful modeling， they were given relevant medicine or normal saline， once a day， for 4 consecutive weeks. The gingival index of rats was detected； the levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α） in rat serum were also determined； alveolar bone resorption， periodontal histopathologic changes and the number of osteoclasts were detected by methylene blue staining， HE staining and TRAP staining， respectively. The expressions of osteoprotegerin （OPG）， receptor activator of NF-κB ligand （RANKL）， SDF-1 and CXCR4 proteins were determined. RESULTS Compared with the control group， serious pathological injury of periodontal tissue was found in the model group， the gingival index， the levels of IL-6 and TNF- α， alveolar bone absorption value， the number of osteoclasts， and the expression of RANKL protein were all increased significantly （P＜0.05）， while the expressions of OPG， SDF-1 and CXCR4 proteins were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， pathological injury of periodontal tissue in rats was reduced； the gingival index， the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α， alveolar bone resorption value， osteoclast number and RANKL protein expression were decreased significantly， while protein expressions of OPG， SDF-1 and CXCR4 were increased significantly in atractylodin low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups and metronidazole group （P＜0.05）. The change trend of corresponding indexes in the AMD3100 group was opposite to the above （P＜0.05）. AMD3100 attenuated the inhibitory effect of high-dose atractylodin on inflammatory response and alveolar bone loss in rats with periodontitis （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Atractylodin may improve the inflammatory response and alveolar bone loss in periodontitis rats by activating the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway.