1.Mechanism of icariin in promoting osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and improving bone metabolism disorders through caveolin-1/Hippo signaling pathway.
Yi-Dan HAN ; Hai-Feng ZHANG ; Yun-Teng XU ; Yu-Huan ZHONG ; Xiao-Ning WANG ; Yun YU ; Yuan-Li YAN ; Shan-Shan WANG ; Xi-Hai LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):600-608
Guided by the theory of "the kidney storing essence, governing the bones, and producing marrow", this study explored the mechanism of icariin(ICA) in regulating the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) through caveolin-1(Cav1) via in vitro and in vivo experiments, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Primary cells were obtained from 4-week-old female SD rats using the whole bone marrow adherent method. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of surface markers CD29, CD90, CD11b, and CD45. The potential for osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was assessed. The effect of ICA on cell viability was determined using the CCK-8 assay, and the impact of ICA on the formation of mineralized nodules was verified by alizarin red staining. A stable Cav1-silenced cell line was constructed using lentivirus. The effect of Cav1 silencing on osteogenic differentiation was observed via alizarin red staining. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the expression of Cav1, Hippo/TAZ, and osteogenic markers such as Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP). The results showed that primary cells were successfully obtained using the whole bone marrow adherent method, positively expressing surface markers of rat BMSCs and possessing the potential for both osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. The CCK-8 assay and alizarin red staining results indicated that 1×10~(-7) mol·L~(-1) was the optimal concentration of ICA for intervention in this experiment(P<0.05). During osteogenic induction, ICA inhibited Cav1 expression(P<0.05) while promoting TAZ expression(P<0.05). Alizarin red staining demonstrated that Cav1 silencing significantly promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. After ICA intervention, TAZ expression was activated, and the expression of osteogenic markers ALP and RUNX2 was increased. In conclusion, Cav1 silencing significantly promotes the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and ICA promotes this differentiation by inhibiting Cav1 and regulating the Hippo/TAZ signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
Caveolin 1/genetics*
;
Osteogenesis/drug effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Female
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Flavonoids/administration & dosage*
;
Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Humans
2.Yougui Yin attenuates adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by modulating PPARγ pathway to treat glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis.
Hong-Zhong XI ; Hao CHEN ; Shuai HE ; Wei SONG ; Jia-Hao FU ; Bin DU ; Xin LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3356-3367
This study aims to investigate the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of Yougui Yin in treating glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis. A rat model of glucocorticoid-associated osteonecrosis of the femoral head(GA-ONFH) was established by intramuscular injection of dexamethasone at 20 mg·kg~(-1) every other day for 8 weeks. Rats were randomly allocated into control, model, and low-and high-dose(1.5 and 3.0 g·kg~(-1), respectively) Yougui Yin groups. After modeling, rats in Yougui Yin groups were administrated with Yougui Yin via gavage, which was followed by femoral specimen collection. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe femoral head repair, and immunofluorescence was employed to assess adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) within the femoral head. Cell experiments were carried out with dexamethasone(1 μmol·L~(-1))-treated BMSCs to evaluate the effects of Yougui Yin-medicated serum on adipogenic differentiation. Animal experiments demonstrated that compared with the model group, Yougui Yin at both high and low doses significantly improved bone mineral density(BMD), bone volume/total volume(BV/TV) ratio, and trabecular thickness(Tb.Th) in the femoral head. Additionally, Yougui Yin alleviated necrosis-like changes and adipocyte infiltration and significantly reduced the expression level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPARγ) in the femoral head, thereby suppressing the adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs in GA-ONFH rats. The cell experiments revealed that Yougui Yin-medicated serum markedly inhibited dexamethasone-induced adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs and down-regulated the level of PPARγ. The overexpression of PPARγ attenuated the inhibitory effect of Yougui Yin-medicated serum on the adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs, indicating the critical role of PPARγ in Yougui Yin-mediated suppression of adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs. In conclusion, Yougui Yin exerts therapeutic effects on glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis by down-regulating PPARγ expression and inhibiting adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs.
Animals
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
PPAR gamma/genetics*
;
Rats
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Male
;
Glucocorticoids/adverse effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Adipogenesis/drug effects*
;
Osteonecrosis/genetics*
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism*
;
Femur Head Necrosis/chemically induced*
;
Humans
3.Stimulation mechanism of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation by Duzhong Decoction-containing serum through L-VGCCs.
Ze-Bin CHEN ; Lan-Lan LUO ; Xin-Yi SHI ; Rui-Tong ZHAO ; Cai-Xian HU ; Yun-Ying FU ; Su-Zhen CHAO ; Bo LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3335-3345
This paper aimed to explore the effects of Duzhong Decoction(DZD)-containing serum on the proliferation and osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells through L-type voltage-gated calcium channels(L-VGCCs). L-VGCCs inhibitors, nifedipine and verapamil, were used to block L-VGCCs in osteoblasts. MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into a control group, a low-dose DZD-containing serum(L-DZD) group, a medium-dose DZD-containing serum(M-DZD) group, a high-dose DZD-containing serum(H-DZD) group, a nifedipine group, a H-DZD + nifedipine group, verapamil group, and a H-DZD + verapamil group. The CCK-8 method was used for cell proliferation analysis, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) assay kits for intracellular ALP activity measurement, Western blot for protein expression level in cells, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR technology for intracellular mRNA expression level determination, fluorescence spectrophotometer for free Ca~(2+) concentration determination in osteoblasts, and alizarin red staining(ARS) for mineralized nodule formation in osteoblasts. The experimental results show that compared to the control group, DZD groups can promote MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, ALP activity, and mineralized nodule formation, increase intracellular Ca~(2+) concentrations, and upregulate the protein expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2), collagen Ⅰ(COL1), α2 subunit protein of L-VGCCs(L-VGCCα2), and the mRNA expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2), and BMP2. After blocking L-VGCCs with nifedipine and verapamil, the intervention effects of DZD-containing serum were inhibited to varying degrees. Both nifedipine and verapamil could inhibit ALP activity, reduce mineralized nodule areas, and downregulate the expression of bone formation-related proteins. Moreover, the effects of DZD-containing serum on increasing MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, osteoblast differentiation, and Ca~(2+) concentrations, upregulating the mRNA expression of osteoprotegerin(OPG) and protein expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt) and phosphorylated forkhead box protein O1(p-FOXO1), and upregulating phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN) expression were reversed by nifedipine. The results indicate that DZD-containing serum can increase the Ca~(2+) concentration in MC3T3-E1 cells to promote bone formation, which may be mediated by L-VGCCs and the PTEN/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway, providing a new perspective on the mechanism of DZD in treating osteoporosis.
Animals
;
Osteoblasts/metabolism*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Calcium Channels, L-Type/genetics*
;
Alkaline Phosphatase/genetics*
;
Serum/chemistry*
;
Cell Line
;
Osteogenesis/drug effects*
;
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2/genetics*
4.The effect of gentiopicroside on osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by regulating the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway.
Ruifang WANG ; Yingchun YANG ; Haibing QIAO ; Ying YANG
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(9):784-789
Objective To investigate the effect of gentiopicroside on osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and to determine whether its mechanism involves the stromal cell-derived factor 1(SDF-1)/C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) pathway. Methods BMSCs were divided into six groups: normal culture control group, osteogenic induction model group, low-dose gentiopicroside (L-gentiopicroside, 10 μmol/L) group, medium-dose gentiopicroside (M-gentiopicroside, 20 μmol/L) group, high-dose gentiopicroside (H-gentiopicroside, 40 μmol/L) group, and H-gentiopicroside+SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway inhibitor (AMD3100) group (H-gentiopicroside+AMD3100, 40 μmol/L gentiopicroside+10 μg/mL AMD3100). Cell viability, apoptosis, ALP activity, mineralized nodule formation, and protein levels of the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway were assessed using the CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, ALP staining, Alizarin Red S staining, and Western blotting, respectively. Results No mineralized nodules were observed in either the control and model group, although the color of the model group deepened. Compared with the control group, the model group showed significantly increased A value, ALP activity, expression levels of Runt related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteopontin (OPN), SDF-1, CXCR4 proteins, along with a lower apoptosis rate. Compared with the model group, the L-gentiopicroside, M-gentiopicroside and H-gentiopicroside groups showed dose-dependently (L
Humans
;
Receptors, CXCR4/genetics*
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
Chemokine CXCL12/genetics*
;
Iridoid Glucosides/pharmacology*
;
Osteogenesis/drug effects*
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism*
5.Plastrum Testudinis Stimulates Bone Formation through Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway Regulated by miR-214.
Qing LIN ; Bi-Yi ZHAO ; Xiao-Yun LI ; Wei-Peng SUN ; Hong-Hao HUANG ; Yu-Mei YANG ; Hao-Yu WANG ; Xiao-Feng ZHU ; Li YANG ; Rong-Hua ZHANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(8):707-716
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the Wnt signaling pathway and miRNAs mechanism of extracts of Plastrum Testudinis (PT) in the treatment of osteoporosis (OP).
METHODS:
Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups by random number table method, including sham group, ovariectomized group (OVX), ovariectomized groups treated with high-, medium-, and low-dose PT (160, 80, 40 mg/kg per day, respectively), with 6 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, the other rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy to simulate OP and received PT by oral gavage for 10 consecutive weeks. After treatment, bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; bone microstructure was analyzed by micro-computed tomography and hematoxylin and eosin staining; and the expressions of osteogenic differentiation-related factors were detected by immunochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) was used to inhibit the Wnt signaling pathway in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and miRNA overexpression was used to evaluate the effect of miR-214 on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Subsequently, PT extract was used to rescue the effects of Dkk-1 and miR-214, and its impacts on the osteogenic differentiation-related factors of BMSCs were evaluated.
RESULTS:
PT-M and PT-L significantly reduced the weight gain in OVX rats (P<0.05). PT also regulated the bone mass and bone microarchitecture of the femur in OVX rats, and increased the expressions of bone formation-related factors including alkaline phosphatase, bone morphogenetic protein type 2, collagen type I alpha 1, and runt-related transcription factor 2 when compared with the OVX group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Meanwhile, different doses of PT significantly rescued the inhibition of Wnt signaling pathway-related factors in OVX rats, and increased the mRNA or protein expressions of Wnt3a, β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). PT stimulated the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs inhibited by Dkk-1 and activated the Wnt signaling pathway. In addition, the expression of miR-214 was decreased in OVX rats (P<0.01), and it was negatively correlated with the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs (P<0.01). MiR-214 mimic inhibited Wnt signaling pathway in BMSCs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conversely, PT effectively counteracted the effect of miR-214 mimic, thereby activating the Wnt signaling pathway and stimulating osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
PT stimulates bone formation in OVX rats through β-catenin-mediated Wnt signaling pathway, which may be related to inhibiting miR-214 in BMSCs.
Animals
;
MicroRNAs/genetics*
;
Female
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Wnt Signaling Pathway/genetics*
;
Osteogenesis/genetics*
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology*
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Bone Density/drug effects*
;
Ovariectomy
;
Osteoporosis/drug therapy*
;
beta Catenin/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
6.Tripterygium wilfordii attenuates acute lung injury by regulating the differentiation and function of myeloid-derived suppressor cells.
Lingyu WEI ; Shu TONG ; Meng'er WANG ; Hongzheng REN ; Jinsheng WANG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(5):840-850
OBJECTIVES:
Acute lung injury (ALI) is an acute respiratory failure syndrome characterized by impaired gas exchange. Due to the lack of effective targeted drugs, it is associated with high mortality and poor prognosis. Tripterygium wilfordii (TW) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in the treatment of various diseases. This study aims to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of TW on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in ALI, providing experimental evidence for TW as a potential adjuvant therapy for ALI.
METHODS:
Eighteen specific pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control (NC; intranasal saline), lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 5 mg/kg intranasally to induce ALI), and LPS+TW (50 mg/kg TW by gavage on the first day of modeling, followed by 5 mg/kg LPS intranasally to induce ALI) groups (n=6 each). Lung injury and edema were assessed by histopathological scoring and wet-to-dry weight ratio. Cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] in lung tissue lavage fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry was used to assess the proportions of MDSCs, polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs), and monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) in bone marrow, spleen, peripheral blood, and lung tissue, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in lung tissues. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and arginase-1 (ARG-1) in lung tissues were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). PMN-MDSCs sorted from the lungs of LPS-treated mice were co-cultured with splenic CD3+ T cells and divided into NC, triptolide (TPL)-L, and TPL-H groups, with bovine serum albumin, 25 nmol/L TPL, and 50 nmol/L TPL, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of PMN-MDSCs on T-cell proliferation, and RT-qPCR was used to measure iNOS and ARG-1 mRNA expression.
RESULTS:
Compared with the NC group, the LPS group showed marked lung pathology with significantly increased histopathological scores and wet-to-dry ratios (both P<0.001). TW treatment significantly alleviated lung injury and reduced both indices compared with the LPS group (both P<0.05). Cytokine levels were significantly decreased in the LPS+TW group compared with the LPS group (all P<0.001). The proportions of MDSCs in CD45+ cells from spleen, bone marrow, peripheral blood, and lung, as well as PMN-MDSCs from spleen, peripheral blood, and lung, were significantly reduced in the LPS+TW group compared with the LPS group (all P<0.05), accompanied by reduced ROS levels in lung tissues (P<0.001). iNOS and ARG-1 mRNA expression in lung tissues was significantly lower in the LPS+TW group than in the LPS group (both P<0.001). In vitro, compared with the TPL-L group, the TPL-H group showed significantly increased CD3+ T-cell proliferation (P<0.001), and decreased iNOS and ARG-1 mRNA expression (all P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
TW alleviates the progression of LPS-induced ALI in mice, potentially by reducing the proportion of MDSCs in lung tissues and attenuating the immunosuppressive function of PMN-MDSCs.
Animals
;
Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced*
;
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells/cytology*
;
Tripterygium/chemistry*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Mice
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics*
;
Cytokines/metabolism*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Diterpenes/pharmacology*
;
Epoxy Compounds
;
Phenanthrenes
7.Buqi-Tongluo Decoction inhibits osteoclastogenesis and alleviates bone loss in ovariectomized rats by attenuating NFATc1, MAPK, NF-κB signaling.
Yongxian LI ; Jinbo YUAN ; Wei DENG ; Haishan LI ; Yuewei LIN ; Jiamin YANG ; Kai CHEN ; Heng QIU ; Ziyi WANG ; Vincent KUEK ; Dongping WANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Bin MAI ; Yang SHAO ; Pan KANG ; Qiuli QIN ; Jinglan LI ; Huizhi GUO ; Yanhuai MA ; Danqing GUO ; Guoye MO ; Yijing FANG ; Renxiang TAN ; Chenguang ZHAN ; Teng LIU ; Guoning GU ; Kai YUAN ; Yongchao TANG ; De LIANG ; Liangliang XU ; Jiake XU ; Shuncong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(1):90-101
Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals
;
NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Ovariectomy
;
Osteoclasts/metabolism*
;
Female
;
Osteogenesis/drug effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
NF-kappa B/genetics*
;
Osteoporosis/genetics*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Bone Resorption/genetics*
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
RANK Ligand/metabolism*
;
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics*
;
Transcription Factors
8.Andrographolide sulfonate alleviates rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.
Chunhong JIANG ; Xi ZENG ; Jia WANG ; Xiaoqian WU ; Lijuan SONG ; Ling YANG ; Ze LI ; Ning XIE ; Xiaomei YUAN ; Zhifeng WEI ; Yi GUAN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(4):480-491
Andrographolide sulfonate (AS) is a sulfonated derivative of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, and has been approved for several decades in China. The present study aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic application and possible mechanisms of AS in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Results indicated that administration of AS by injection or gavage significantly reduced the paw swelling, improved body weights, and attenuated pathological changes in joints of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Additionally, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in the serum and ankle joints were reduced. Bioinformatics analysis, along with the spleen index and measurements of IL-17 and IL-10 levels, suggested a potential relationship between AS and Th17 cells under arthritic conditions. In vitro, AS was shown to block Th17 cell differentiation, as evidenced by the reduced percentages of CD4+ IL-17A+ T cells and decreased expression levels of RORγt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22, without affecting the cell viability and apoptosis. This effect was attributed to the limited glycolysis, as indicated by metabolomics analysis, reduced glucose uptake, and pH measurements. Further investigation revealed that AS might bind to hexokinase2 (HK2) to down-regulate the protein levels of HK2 but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) or pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and overexpression of HK2 reversed the inhibition of AS on Th17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, AS impaired the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signals in vivo and in vitro, which was abolished by the addition of lactate. In conclusion, AS significantly improved adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.
Animals
;
Th17 Cells/immunology*
;
Diterpenes/pharmacology*
;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology*
;
Glycolysis/drug effects*
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
;
Rats
;
Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Humans
;
Andrographis paniculata/chemistry*
;
Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy*
;
Interleukin-17/immunology*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
9.Salidroside inhibits osteoclast differentiation based on osteoblast-osteoclast interaction via HIF-1a pathway.
Yutong JIN ; Yao WANG ; Chuan WANG ; Lingling ZHANG ; Dandan GAO ; Haizhao LIU ; Qingwen CAO ; Chenchen TIAN ; Yuhong BIAN ; Yue WANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(5):572-584
This study investigated the regulatory potential of salidroside (SAL), a primary active compound in Rhodiola rosea L., on osteoclast differentiation by modulating the hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1a) pathway in osteoblasts. Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were employed to validate whether the receptor activator of nuclear factor-?B ligand (RANKL) is the downstream target gene of HIF-1a in osteoblasts. The study also utilized lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse osteolysis to examine the impact of SAL on osteolysis in vivo. Furthermore, conditioned medium (CM) from SAL-pretreated osteoblasts was used to investigate the paracrine effects on osteoclastogenesis through the HIF-1a pathway. Hypoxic condition-induced overexpression of HIF-1a upregulated RANKL levels by binding to the RANKL promoter and enhancing transcription in osteoblastic cells. In vivo, SAL significantly alleviated bone tissue hypoxia and decreased the expression of HIF-1a by downregulating the expression of RANKL, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4). In the paracrine experiment, conditioned media from SAL-pretreated osteoblasts inhibited differentiation through the HIF-1a/RANKL, VEGF, IL-6, and ANGPTL4 pathways. RANKL emerges as the downstream target gene regulated by HIF-1a in osteoblasts. SAL significantly alleviates bone tissue hypoxia and bone loss in LPS-induced osteolysis through the HIF-1a/RANKL, VEGF, IL-6, and ANGPTL4 pathways. SAL inhibits osteoclast differentiation by regulating osteoblast paracrine secretion.
Animals
;
Osteoblasts/cytology*
;
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics*
;
Glucosides/administration & dosage*
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Phenols/administration & dosage*
;
Mice
;
Osteoclasts/metabolism*
;
RANK Ligand/genetics*
;
Rhodiola/chemistry*
;
Osteogenesis/drug effects*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Interleukin-6/genetics*
;
Male
;
RAW 264.7 Cells
;
Osteolysis/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
10.Design and synthesis of novel saponin-triazole derivatives in the regulation of adipogenesis.
Yongsheng FANG ; Zhiyun ZHU ; Chun XIE ; Dazhen XIA ; Huimin ZHAO ; Zihui WANG ; Qian LU ; Caimei ZHANG ; Wenyong XIONG ; Xiaodong YANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(8):920-931
Saponins associated with Panax notoginseng (P. notoginseng) demonstrate significant therapeutic efficacy across multiple diseases. However, certain high-yield saponins face limited clinical applications due to their reduced pharmacological efficacy. This study synthesized and evaluated 36 saponin-1,2,3-triazole derivatives of ginsenosides Rg1/Rb1 and notoginsenoside R1 for anti-adipogenesis activity in vitro. The research revealed that the ginsenosides Rg1-1,2,3-triazole derivative a17 demonstrates superior adipogenesis inhibitory effects. Structure-activity relationships (SARs) analysis indicates that incorporating an amidyl-substituted 1,2,3-triazole into the saponin side chain via Click reaction enhances anti-adipogenesis activity. Additionally, several other derivatives exhibit general adipogenesis inhibition. Compound a17 demonstrated enhanced potency compared to the parent ginsenoside Rg1. Mechanistic investigations revealed that a17 exhibits dose-dependent inhibition of adipogenesis in vitro, accompanied by decreased expression of preadipocytes. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) adipogenesis regulators. These findings establish the ginsenoside Rg1-1,2,3-triazole derivative a17 as a promising adipocyte differentiation inhibitor and potential therapeutic agent for obesity and associated metabolic disorders. This research provides a foundation for developing effective therapeutic approaches for various metabolic syndromes.
Adipogenesis/drug effects*
;
Triazoles/chemical synthesis*
;
Ginsenosides/chemical synthesis*
;
Saponins/chemical synthesis*
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Structure-Activity Relationship
;
PPAR gamma/genetics*
;
3T3-L1 Cells
;
Adipocytes/metabolism*
;
Panax notoginseng/chemistry*
;
Drug Design
;
Molecular Structure
;
Humans
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins/genetics*

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