Abstract
Tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside (TSG) is a unique component of the bone-reinforcing herb Radix Polygoni Multiflori Preparata (RPMP). It has the ability to promote bone formation and protect osteoblasts. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To better understand its biological function, we determined TSG’s effect on murine pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells by the MTT assay, flow cytometry, FQ-PCR, Western blot, and ELISA. The results showed that TSG caused an elevation of the MC3T3-E1 cell number, the number of cells in the S phase, and the mRNA levels of the runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2), osterix (Osx), and collagen type I α1 (Col1a1). In addition, the osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA level was up-regulated, while the nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) mRNA levels were down-regulated by TSG. Furthermore, TSG activated the phosphoinosmde-3-kinase/protein kinase B (also known as PI3K/Akt) pathway, and blocking this pathway by the inhibitor LY-294002 could impair TSG’s functions in relation to the MC3T3-E1 cells. In conclusion, TSG could activate the PI3K/Akt pathway and thus promote MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and differentiation, and influence OPG/RANKL/M-CSF expression. TSG merits further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for osteoporosis treatment.
Highlights
Osteoporosis—a devastating systemic skeletal disorder—increases the fracture risk of patients in all populations, resulting in physical, psychosocial, and economic burdens [1]
Based on the “kidney governing bones” theory in traditional Chinese medicine, the essence stored in kidney promotes and regulates bone growth, and osteoporosis is believed to be mainly caused by kidney deficiency [3]
Mg/mL) significantly increased the number of MC3T3-E1 cells, and the cell growth rate was higher in the groups treated with Tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside (TSG) for three days than those treated for two days
Summary
Osteoporosis—a devastating systemic skeletal disorder—increases the fracture risk of patients in all populations, resulting in physical, psychosocial, and economic burdens [1]. There are different kinds of modern medicines that alleviate osteoporosis, but they all pose some side effects after long-term administration [2]. Based on the “kidney governing bones” theory in traditional Chinese medicine, the essence stored in kidney promotes and regulates bone growth, and osteoporosis is believed to be mainly caused by kidney deficiency [3]. Many kidney-reinforcing herbs could treat osteoporosis effectively, while posing few side effects [3,4]. New effective drugs could be developed from components of these herbs for the treatment of osteoporosis.
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