In vitro efficacy of whole-grain finger millet (Eleusine coracana) extract on primary rat osteoblasts

Abstract

To improve the primary osteoblast cells of neonatal rats for mineralization, Finger millet grain (Eleusine coracana) extract was employed. In vitro digested extract (IVD) and citric acid buffered extract (CAB) were evaluated for cell proliferation, regeneration and matrix mineralization. The cytotoxic effect and the osteogenic differentiation were examined using MTT (3- [4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, Giemsa stain and Von-Kossa respectively. Cell progression and osteogenic differentiation markers like Osteocalcin (OCN), Osteopontin (OPN), collagen type I (Col-I), collagen type II (Col-II) and collagen type III (Col-III), RUNX family transcription factor 2 (Runx2), Matrix metallo peptidase 9 (MMP-9) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARG) expression were made using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Exposure of different concentrations of the extract (100-800μg/ml of CAB and 25-400 μg/ml of IVD) on cells showed the characteristic morphology change in osteoblastic cells including the increase in cell number. In a dose-dependent way (p<0.005), osteoblast matrix mineralization revealed that CAB stimulates osteoblasts. In light of these findings, finger millet (CAB extract) could be used for osteoporosis prevention and bone rebuilding.