Soluble yerba mate (Ilex Paraguariensis) extract enhances in vitro osteoblastic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

Regulation of bone homeostasis by traditional Chinese medicine active scaffolds and enhancement for the osteoporosis bone regeneration

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), such as naringin (NG), Eucommiol, isopsoralen, icariin, Astragalus polysaccharides, and chondroitin sulfate, contained in Drynariae Rhizoma, Eucommiae Cortex, Psoralea corylifolia, Herba Epimedii, Astragalus radix and deer antler, are considered promising candidates for enhancing the healing of osteoporotic defects due to their outstanding bone homeostasis regulating properties. They are commonly used to activate bone repair scaffolds.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

Bone repair scaffolds are inadequate to meet the demands of osteoporotic defect healing due to the lack of regulation of bone homeostasis. Therefore, selecting bone scaffolds activated with TCM to improve the therapeutic effect of repairing osteoporotic bone defects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To gather information on bone scaffold activated by traditional Chinese medicine, we conducted a thorough search of several scientific databases, including Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scifinder, Baidu Scholar, PubMed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI).

RESULTS

This review discusses the mechanism of TCM active ingredients in regulating bone homeostasis, including stimulating bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption process and the healing mechanism of traditional bone repair scaffolds activated by them for osteoporotic defect healing.

CONCLUSION

In general, the introduction of TCM active ingredients provides a novel therapeutic approach for modulating bone homeostasis and facilitating osteoporotic defect healing, and also offers a new strategy for design of other unconventional bone defect healing materials.

Increased Osteoblastic and Osteocytic in Vitro Cell Viability by Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis)

BACKGROUND

Yerba mate (YM, Ilex paraguariensis) consumption beneficially affects the bones. However, whether YM components exert their effect on bone cells directly remains elusive.

METHODS

We evaluated how main YM components affect osteoblastic (MC3T3-E1) and osteocytic (MLO-Y4) cells in vitro when administered separately or in an aqueous extract. MC3T3-E1 and MLO-Y4 cells were exposed to three different experimental conditions: (1) Caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and their combinations; (2) Caffeine, rutin, and their combinations; (3) Aqueous YM extract.

RESULTS

All polyphenol and caffeine concentrations as well as that of their tested combinations significantly increased MC3T3-E1 cell viability from 16.6% to 34.8% compared to the control. In MLO-Y4 cells, the lowest rutin and the two highest caffeine concentrations significantly increased cell viability by 11.9, 14.9, and 13.7%, respectively. While rutin and caffeine combinations tended to increase MLO-Y4 cell viability, different chlorogenic acid and caffeine combinations did not affect it. Finally, the aqueous YM extract significantly increased MLO-Y4, MC3T3-E1, and differentiated MC3T3-E1 cell viability compared to the control without treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

YM components (rutin, chlorogenic acid, and caffeine) positively affected bone cells, mainly pre-osteoblast cells. Moreover, the aqueous YM extract significantly increased MLO-Y4, MC3T3-E1, and differentiated MC3T3-E1 cell viabilities indicating an additional relevant nutritional property of YM infusion. Further studies would be required to elucidate the underlying effector mechanism of YM on the bones and its relationship with previously described in vivo positive effects.

Study on the mechanism of naringin in promoting bone differentiation: In vitro and in vivo study

Objective

Osteoporosis is a common clinical bone disease that occurs most frequently in middle-aged and elderly people. Various traditional herbal medicine formulations have shown significant benefits in models of osteoporosis. In this study, we aim to investigate the osteogenic efficacy of naringin (NRG) in the osteoporotic state.

Design

We treated Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) with various concentrations of NRG for 3 and 7 days. BMSC proliferation was measured by the MTT assay. The effect of NRG on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was detected by ALP and alizarin red staining. The effect of NRG on the BMP2/Runx2/Osterix signaling pathway was analyzed by using real-time PCR. The effect of NRG on the oestrogen receptor was measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vivo animal experiments were performed by micro-computed tomography and ALP immunohistochemistry to determine the ectopic osteogenic effect of NRG sustained-release nanoparticles in a mouse model of osteoporosis.

Results

NRG promoted the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Moreover, it also activated the BMP2/Runx2/Osterix signaling pathway. When NRG sustained-release nanoparticles were added in vivo in animal experiments, we found that NRG sustained-release nanoparticles had better ectopic osteogenic effects in a mouse model of osteoporosis.

Conclusions

NRG induced osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs by activating the BMP2/Runx2/Osterix signaling pathway and promoted the regulation of oestrogen receptor pathway protein expression, and NRG sustained-release nanoparticles exerted a more significant in vivo ectopic osteogenic effect in an osteoporosis mouse model. Therefore, naringin is expected to be developed as a novel treatment for inducing osteogenesis, because of its ubiquitous, cost-efficient, and biologically active characteristics. However, further research is needed on how to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of naringin and its specific mechanism.

Hydroxysafflor Yellow A-Induced Osteoblast Differentiation and Proliferation of BM-MSCs by Up-Regulating Nuclear Vitamin D Receptor

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is critical for mineral and bone homeostasis since it plays an essential role in the osteoblast differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) has the potential to promote bone mineralization and inhibit bone resorption, while its detailed mechanism needs to be elaborated.

OBJECTIVE

This study intends to explore the action of HSYA on the proliferation and differentiation of BM-MSC and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Different concentrations of HSYA to BM-MSC and CCK-8, and EdU were used to detect cell viability and proliferation. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was used to observe the differentiation ability of BM-MSC osteoblasts. The calcium uptake and mineralization of osteoblast-like cells were observed by alizarin red staining. The level of calcium ion uptake in cells was detected by flow cytometry. AutoDock was performed for molecular docking of HSYA to VDR protein. Immunofluorescence and western blotting were performed to detect the expression of VDR expression levels. Finally, the effect of VDR was verified by a VDR inhibitor.

RESULTS

After treatment with HSYA, the proliferation and calcium uptake of BM-MSC were increased. The level of ALP increased significantly and reached its peak on the 12th day. HSYA promoted calcium uptake and calcium deposition, and mineralization of osteoblasts. The western blotting and immunofluorescence showed that HSYA increased the expression of VDR in the osteoblast-like cell's nucleus and upregulated Osteocalcin, S100 calcium-binding protein G, and CYP24A1. In addition, HYSA treatment increased the expression of osteopontin and the synthesis of osteogenic proteins, such as Type 1 collagen. After the addition of the VDR inhibitor, the effect of HSYA was weakened.

CONCLUSION

HSYA could significantly promote the activity and proliferation of osteoblasts and increase the expression level of VDR in osteoblasts. HSYA may also improve calcium absorption by osteoblasts by regulating the synthesis of calciumbinding protein and vitamin D metabolic pathway-related proteins.

The role of exercise-and high fat diet-induced bone marrow extracellular vesicles in stress hematopoiesis

Exercise and obesity regulate hematopoiesis, in part through alterations in cellular and soluble components of the bone marrow niche. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are components of the bone marrow niche that regulate hematopoiesis; however, the role of exercise training or obesity induced EVs in regulating hematopoiesis remains unknown. To address this gap, donor EVs were isolated from control diet-fed, sedentary mice (CON-SED), control diet-fed exercise trained mice (CON-EX), high fat diet-fed, sedentary mice (HFD-SED), and high fat diet-fed, exercise trained mice (HFD-EX) and injected into recipient mice undergoing stress hematopoiesis. Hematopoietic and niche cell populations were quantified, and EV miRNA cargo was evaluated. EV content did not differ between the four groups. Mice receiving HFD-EX EVs had fewer hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) (p < 0.01), long-term HSC (p < 0.05), multipotent progenitors (p < 0.01), common myeloid progenitors (p<0.01), common lymphoid progenitors (p < 0.01), and granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (p < 0.05), compared to mice receiving HFD-SED EVs. Similarly, mice receiving EX EVs had fewer osteoprogenitor cells compared to SED (p < 0.05) but enhanced mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) osteogenic differentiation in vitro (p < 0.05) compared to SED EVs. HFD EVs enhanced mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) adipogenesis in vitro (p < 0.01) compared to CON EVs. HFD-EX EVs had lower microRNA-193 and microRNA-331-5p content, microRNAs implicated in inhibiting osteogenesis and leukemic cell expansion respectively, compared to HFD-SED EVs. The results identify alterations in EV cargo as a novel mechanism by which exercise training alters stress hematopoiesis and the bone marrow niche.

Assessment of redox state and biochemical parameters of salivary glands in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats treated with mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis)

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to assess the effects of mate tea [Ilex paraguariensis] on the redox state and biochemical parameters of salivary glands in diabetic male rats.

DESIGN

Twenty-four male Wistar rats (3 months old) were randomly divided into groups (n = 8 per group): control rats that received water (C); diabetic rats that received water (D); diabetic rats treated with mate tea (DMT). The treated streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were given mate tea powder by intragastric gavage at a dose of 20 mg/kg daily for 28 days. Content of total protein, amylase, oxidative lipid damage, measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), oxidative protein damage, measured as protein carbonyl, total antioxidant capacity, uric acid, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were examined by the spectrophotometric method in the parotid and submandibular glands.

RESULTS

The D group showed lower total protein, amylase, TBARs, protein carbonyl, total antioxidant capacity, GSH, uric acid, and GPx than the C group in both salivary glands, as well as higher SOD and CAT activities. The DMT group showed higher total protein, amylase, total antioxidant capacity, GSH, uric acid, and GPx than the D group in both salivary glands. Moreover, mate tea increased SOD in the parotid gland and CAT in the submandibular gland of diabetic rats but did not influence TBARs and protein carbonyl in either salivary gland compared to D group.

CONCLUSION

Mate tea increased tissue protein synthesis and improved antioxidant defenses in the salivary glands of streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats.

Telmisartan impairs the in vitro osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells from spontaneously hypertensive male rats

Telmisartan (TELM) is an angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (Agtr1) antagonist, with partial agonism for Pparg, and has been shown to affect bone metabolism. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TELM in the in vitro osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSC) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). BMSC were obtained from male SHR, and the osteogenic medium (OM) was added to the cells concomitantly with TELM (0.005, 0.05, and 0.5 μM). Undifferentiated BMSC, in control medium (CM), showed an increased viability, while the addition of OM reduced this parameter, and TELM did not show cytotoxicity in the concentrations used. BMSC in OM had an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity peak at d10, which decreased at d14 and d21, and TELM reduced ALP at d10 in a dose-dependent manner. Mineralization was observed in the OM at d14, which intensified at d21, but was inhibited by TELM. Agtr1b was increased in the OM, and TELM inhibited its expression. TELM reduced Opn, Ocn, and Bsp and increased Pparg expression, and at the higher concentration TELM also increased the expression of adipogenic markers, Fabp4 and Adipoq. In addition, TELM 0.5 μM increased Irs1 and Glut4, insulin and glucose metabolism markers, known to be regulated by Pparg and to be related to adipogenic phenotype. Our data shows that TELM inhibited the osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of SHR BMSC, by favoring an adipogenic prone phenotype due to Pparg upregulation.

Effect of Eucomis autumnalis on the Osteogenic Differentiation of Adipose Derived Stem Cells

Eucomis autumnalis subsp. autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt. (EASA) is a commonly used medicinal plant for the treatment of fractures, osteoarthritis, back pain, and wound healing in Southern Africa. In this study, the effects of water and acetone extracts of EASA on the viability, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization of human adipose derived stem cells (hADSCs) were investigated in vitro. The results showed that both water and acetone extracts of EASA increased cell viability at concentrations between 10 to 50 µg/mL on day 7 and 14 of treatment. Osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of hADSCs was optimal at 5 μg/mL for the water extract and at 5 to 10 μg/ml for the acetone extract. A 5 µg/ml acetone extract up-regulated the expression of the ALP, Runx2, Col1a1, and osteocalcin genes. In addition, EASA up-regulated β-catenin, cyclin D1 and osteoprotegerin genes. The results suggest that EASA may likely up-regulate the expression of β-catenin, which subsequently up-regulates the osteogenic marker genes through Runx2. On the other hand, EASA also up-regulates cyclin D1 supporting the growth of precursor cells. Additionally, EASA upregulated the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) suggesting that it may inhibit bone resorption. The results of this study support the traditional use of the plant in bone healing.

Fisetin Inhibits Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells via the Inhibition of YAP

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are self-renewal and capable of differentiating to various functional cell types, including osteocytes, adipocytes, myoblasts, and chondrocytes. They are, therefore, regarded as a potential source for stem cell therapy. Fisetin is a bioactive flavonoid known as an active antioxidant molecule that has been reported to inhibit cell growth in various cell types. Fisetin was shown to play a role in regulating osteogenic differentiation in animal-derived MSCs; however, its molecular mechanism is not well understood. We, therefore, studied the effect of fisetin on the biological properties of human MSCs derived from chorion tissue and its role in human osteogenesis using MSCs and osteoblast-like cells (SaOs-2) as a model. We found that fisetin inhibited proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs as well as human SaOs-2 cells. Fisetin could reduce Yes-associated protein (YAP) activity, which results in downregulation of osteogenic genes and upregulation of fibroblast genes. Further analysis using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggests that fisetin occupied the hydrophobic TEAD pocket preventing YAP from associating with TEA domain (TEAD). This finding supports the potential application of flavonoids like fisetin as a protein–protein interaction disruptor and also suggesting an implication of fisetin in regulating human osteogenesis.

Preadministration of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) helps functional activity and morphology maintenance of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells after in vitro exposition to hydrogen peroxide

Natural substances with antioxidant effects may benefit prevention and treatment of people with or prone to bone diseases after menopause, such as osteoporosis. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of preadministration of yerba mate extract (YM) in the metabolism of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The cells (MC3T3-E1) were cultured in 24-well plates with the concentration of 1 μg/mL yerba mate extract dissolved in culture medium throughout the culture period. Four hours before each experiment, 400 μmol/L H₂O₂ was added per well to simulate oxidative stress. There were evaluated cell adhesion and proliferation, in situ detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), mineralized nodules, and immunolocalization of osteocalcin (OCN), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) proteins. The results showed that YM preadministration to H₂O₂ exposition significatively increased cell adhesion after 3 days as well as proliferation and in situ ALP detection after 10 and 7 days respectively, when compared to H₂O₂ group. Besides, staining of OCN and BSP proteins was less intense and scattered in poor spread cells with cytoskeletal changes in H₂O₂ group when compared to control and YM H₂O₂ group. ALP staining was restrained to intracellular regions and similar in all experimental groups. Our results suggest that preadministration of yerba mate extract may prevent deleterious effects in the morphology and functional activity of osteoblasts exposed to H₂O₂, which could enable the maintenance of extracellular matrix in the presence of oxidative stress.

Role of MAPK/JNK signaling pathway on the regulation of biological behaviors of MC3T3‑E1 osteoblasts under titanium ion exposure

The oral cavity is a complex environment that is constantly undergoing remodeling. This provides a favorable electrolytic aqueous condition, which causes the corrosion of titanium implants and the release of titanium (Ti) ions. The accumulation of Ti ions in the peri-implant tissues may affect the osteogenesis process. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the possible effects of Ti ions on osteoblast physiology and its underlying mechanism, specifically the MAPK/JNK signaling pathway. In the present study, MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were cultured the medium containing 10 ppm Ti ions. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to analyze cell morphology and adhesion. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and western blotting were performed to evaluate the expression of proteins associated with osteogenesis such as Runx2 and Osterix. Nuclear translocation of JNK, a key factor of the MAPK signaling pathway, was visualized and analyzed using immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that 10 ppm Ti ions exerted negative effects on the biological behaviors of MC3T3-E1 cells, which exhibited reduced adhesion, ALP activity and osteogenic differentiation. It was also found that 10 ppm Ti ions activated the MAPK/JNK signaling pathway by promoting the nuclear translocation of JNK via phosphorylation. In addition, the inhibitory effects of 10 ppm Ti ions on MC3T3-E1 cells was found to be reversed by the JNK inhibitor SP600125. In conclusion, the preset study suggests that the MAPK/JNK signaling pathway serves a key role in the molecular mechanism underlying the changes in osteoblast behavior following Ti ion exposure. These findings may serve as a valuable reference point for the further in-depth exploration of peri-implant bone loss.

Role of αVβ3 in Prostate Cancer: Metastasis Initiator and Important Therapeutic Target

In prostate cancer, distant organ metastasis is the leading cause of patient death. Although the mechanism of malignant tumor metastasis is unclear, studies have confirmed that integrin αVβ3 plays an important role in this process. In prostate cancer, αVβ3 mediates adhesion, invasion, immune escape and neovascularization through interactions with different ligands. Among these ligands and in addition to proteins that are directly related to tumor invasion, other proteins that contain the RGD structure could also bind to αVβ3 and cause a number of biological effects. In this article, we summarized the ligand and downstream proteins related to αVβ3-mediated prostate cancer metastasis as well as some diagnostic and therapeutic measures targeting αVβ3.

Approaches to promoting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell osteogenesis on orthopedic implant surface

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) play a critical role in the osseointegration of bone and orthopedic implant. However, osseointegration between the Ti-based implants and the surrounding bone tissue must be improved due to titanium’s inherent defects. Surface modification stands out as a versatile technique to create instructive biomaterials that can actively direct stem cell fate. Here, we summarize the current approaches to promoting BMSC osteogenesis on the surface of titanium and its alloys. We will highlight the utilization of the unique properties of titanium and its alloys in promoting tissue regeneration, and discuss recent advances in understanding their role in regenerative medicine. We aim to provide a systematic and comprehensive review of approaches to promoting BMSC osteogenesis on the orthopedic implant surface.

3,5-dicaffeoyl‑epi-quinic acid from Atriplex gmelinii enhances the osteoblast differentiation of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stromal cells via WnT/BMP signaling and suppresses adipocyte differentiation via AMPK activation

BACKGROUND

Impaired bone formation is one of the reasons behind osteoporosis. Alterations in the patterns of mesenchymal stromal cell differentiation towards adipocytes instead of osteoblasts contribute to osteoporosis progression. Natural anti-osteoporotic agents are effective and safe alternatives for osteoporosis treatment.

PURPOSE

In this context, 3,5-dicaffeoyl‑epi-quinic acid (DCEQA) which is a derivative of chlorogenic acid with reported bioactivities was studied for its osteogenic differentiation enhancing potential in vitro.

METHODS

Anti-osteoporotic effects of DCEQA were investigated in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSCs) which were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts or adipocytes with or without DCEQA treatment. Changes in the osteogenic and adipogenic markers such as ALP activity and lipid accumulation, respectively, were observed along with differentiation-specific activation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.

RESULTS

At 10 μM concentration, DCEQA increased the proliferation of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSCs) during osteoblast differentiation. The expression of osteogenic markers ALP, osteocalcin, Runx2, BMP2 and Wnt 10a was upregulated by DCEQA treatment. The ALP activity and extracellular mineralization were also increased. DCEQA elevated the phosphorylation levels of p38 and JNK MAPKs as well as the activation of β-catenin and Smad1/5. DCEQA suppressed the lipid accumulation and downregulated expression of adipogenic markers PPARγ, C/EBPα and SREBP1c in adipo-induced hBM-MSCs. DCEQA also decreased the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK MAPKs and stimulated the activation of AMPK in hBM-MSC adipocytes.

CONCLUSION

DCEQA was suggested to enhance osteoblast differentiation via stimulating Wnt/BMP signaling. The adipocyte differentiation inhibitory effect of DCEQA was suggested to arise from its ability to increase AMPK phosphorylation. Overall, DCEQA was shown to possess osteogenesis enhancing and adipogenesis inhibitory properties which might facilitate its use against osteoporotic conditions.