Abstract
BackgroundThe Tridax procumbens extracts (TPE) are known for their ethno-medicinal properties to increase osteogenic functioning in mesenchymal stem cells. Recently, we found that the T. procumbens flavonoids (TPF) significantly suppressed the RANKL-induced osteoclasts differentiation and bone resorption. The TPF also promoted osteoblasts differentiation and bone formation demonstrated by increasing bone formation markers in cultured mouse primary osteoblasts. However, the effects of the TPF on in vivo bone formation remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of the TPF on in vivo bone formation, injected the TPF (20 mg/kg) twice a day in the low calcium diet mice and killed them after 21 day. Radiographic and histomorphometric analyses were performed on the dissected bones to determine the anabolic effects of the TPF.ResultsBone mineral density and bone mineral content of the TPF-treated mice were significantly increased compared to the control mice. Bone formation-related indices like osteoblast number, osteoblast surface, bone volume, mineralizing surface, mineral apposition rate and bone formation rate were significantly increased in the TPF-treated mice compared to the control mice.ConclusionOur findings point towards the stimulation of bone formation by TPF, suggested that the TPF could be a potential natural anabolic agent to treat patients with bone loss-associated diseases such as osteoporosis.
Highlights
The Tridax procumbens extracts (TPE) are known for their ethno-medicinal properties to increase osteo‐ genic functioning in mesenchymal stem cells
Osteoblasts differentiation and bone formation activities were evaluated for the T. procumbens flavonoids (TPF), which revealed that the TPF induced-osteoblast differentiation and bone formation in cultured primary osteoblasts by up-regulation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin and type 1 collagen
Effects of the TPF on osteoblasts differentiation To evaluate the effects of the TPF on osteoblast differentiation, ALP staining was performed on osteoblasts derived from newborn mouse calvaria; which revealed an enhanced intensity of ALP staining and activity (Fig. 1a– c) in the TPF treated osteoblasts
Summary
The Tridax procumbens extracts (TPE) are known for their ethno-medicinal properties to increase osteo‐ genic functioning in mesenchymal stem cells. We found that the T. procumbens flavonoids (TPF) significantly suppressed the RANKL-induced osteoclasts differentiation and bone resorption. The mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into mature and functional osteoblasts; play a crucial role in bone formation, which process is regulated by many factors [1]. Previous studies showed that different plant-derived flavonoid compounds could stimulate osteoblasts function, and inhibit osteoclasts functions either alone or in combination. Due to their natural occurrence and lack of side effects, they are considered to be safer than the conventional drugs replacement therapy as preventive measures against various diseases including osteoporosis [17, 18]. The TPF induces a higher bone formation activity and bone mass in low calcium diet mice compared to control mice
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