Promotion effect of extracts from plastrum testudinis on alendronate against glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in rat spine

Effect assessment of traditional Chinese medicine, Guilu Erxian Jiao, in patients with osteoporosis: A case-control study of the Chang gung memorial hospital

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a chronic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and increased risk of fracture. In Taiwan, Guilu Erxian Jiao (GEJ) is the commonly used formula of Chinese herbal medicines for patients with osteoporosis. However, the effect of GEJ on subsequent fractures in the long term is unclear. This is the first long-term case-control study of the effects of GEJ on the rates of fracture in patients with osteoporosis.

METHODS

We collected data from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2019 from the Chang Gung Research Database. We interpreted from the reports of DXA to confirm whether the patients met the criteria for osteoporosis (T score ≤ -2.5). Eighty-five patients were enrolled in the GEJ group. After two propensity score matchings, 425 patients were identified as the non-GEJ group. We assessed four outcomes to confirm the effects of GEJ in patients with osteoporosis, including the change in the T-score, new occurrences of fractures, cumulative rate of fracture, and how many doses of GEJ need to be administered to effectively reduce fractures RESULTS: There was no significant difference in either the improvement in the T score or the 5-year overall fracture (p = 0.335) between these two groups. At the fracture-prone sites, the fracture in lumbar vertebrae was less in the GEJ group (p = 0.034). A total of 600 GEJ pills are required to effectively reduce the incidence of fractures (p value= 0.0039).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who take at least 600 GEJ pills would have a decreased fracture risk at fracture-prone sites.

Plastrum testudinis Ameliorates Oxidative Stress in Nucleus Pulposus Cells via Downregulating the TNF-α Signaling Pathway

BackgroundPlastrum testudinis (PT), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, exerts protective effects against bone diseases such as intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Despite its effectiveness, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of PT on IDD remain unclear. Methods In this study, we used a comprehensive strategy combining bioinformatic analysis with experimental verification to investigate the possible molecular mechanisms of PT against IDD. We retrieved targets for PT and IDD, and then used their overlapped targets for protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. In addition, we used Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses to investigate the anti-IDD mechanisms of PT. Moreover, in vivo and in vitro experiment validations including hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and safranine O-green staining, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) assay, cell immunofluorescence staining, intracellular ROS measurement and Western blot analysis were performed to verify bioinformatics findings. Results We identified 342 and 872 PT- and IDD-related targets (32 overlapping targets). GO enrichment analysis yielded 450 terms related to oxidative stress and inflammatory response regulation. KEGG analysis identified 48 signaling pathways, 10 of which were significant; the TNF-α signaling pathway had the highest p-value, and prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (PTGS2), endothelin-1 (EDN1), TNF-α, JUN and FOS were enriched in this pathway. Histopathological results and safranin O/green staining demonstrated that PT attenuated IDD, and SA-β-gal assay showed that PT ameliorated nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) senescence. An ROS probe was adopted to confirm the protective effect of PT against oxidative stress. Western blot analyses confirmed that PT downregulated the protein expression of PTGS2, EDN1, TNF-α, JUN and FOS in the TNF-α signaling pathway as well as cellular senescence marker p16, proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL6), while PT upregulated the expression of NPC-specific markers including COL2A1 and ACAN in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report that PT alleviates IDD by downregulating the protein expression of PTGS2, EDN1, TNF-α, JUN and FOS in the TNF-α signaling pathway and upregulating that of COL2A1 and ACAN, thus suppressing inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in NPCs.

Osteoporosis Due to Hormone Imbalance: An Overview of the Effects of Estrogen Deficiency and Glucocorticoid Overuse on Bone Turnover

Osteoporosis is a serious health issue among aging postmenopausal women. The majority of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis have bone loss related to estrogen deficiency. The rapid bone loss results from an increase in bone turnover with an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation. Osteoporosis can also result from excessive glucocorticoid usage, which induces bone demineralization with significant changes of spatial heterogeneities of bone at microscale, indicating potential risk of fracture. This review is a summary of current literature about the molecular mechanisms of actions, the risk factors, and treatment of estrogen deficiency related osteoporosis (EDOP) and glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis (GIOP). Estrogen binds with estrogen receptor to promote the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), and to suppress the action of nuclear factor-κβ ligand (RANKL), thus inhibiting osteoclast formation and bone resorptive activity. It can also activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling to increase osteogenesis, and upregulate BMP signaling to promote mesenchymal stem cell differentiation from pre-osteoblasts to osteoblasts, rather than adipocytes. The lack of estrogen will alter the expression of estrogen target genes, increasing the secretion of IL-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). On the other hand, excessive glucocorticoids interfere the canonical BMP pathway and inhibit Wnt protein production, causing mesenchymal progenitor cells to differentiate toward adipocytes rather than osteoblasts. It can also increase RANKL/OPG ratio to promote bone resorption by enhancing the maturation and activation of osteoclast. Moreover, excess glucocorticoids are associated with osteoblast and osteocyte apoptosis, resulting in declined bone formation. The main focuses of treatment for EDOP and GIOP are somewhat different. Avoiding excessive glucocorticoid use is mandatory in patients with GIOP. In contrast, appropriate estrogen supplement is deemed the primary treatment for females with EDOP of various causes. Other pharmacological treatments include bisphosphonate, teriparatide, and RANKL inhibitors. Nevertheless, more detailed actions of EDOP and GIOP along with the safety and effectiveness of medications for treating osteoporosis warrant further investigation.

Zuo-Gui-Wan Aqueous Extract Ameliorates Glucocorticoid-Induced Spinal Osteoporosis of Rats by Regulating let-7f and Autophagy

OBJECTIVE

This study proposes to explore the protective effect of Zuo-Gui-Wan (ZGW) aqueous extract on spinal glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in vivo and in vitro, and the underlying mechanisms of ZGW in GIOP and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were conducted.

METHODS

In vivo, SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (CON), dexamethasone (DEXM) group, and ZGW group, which were given vehicle, DEXM injection, and ZGW intragastric administration at the same time. Vertebral bone microarchitecture, biomechanics, histomorphology, serum AKP activity, and the autophagosome of osteoblasts were examined. The mRNA expressions of let-7f, autophagy-associated genes (mTORC1, Beclin-1, ATG12, ATG5, and LC3), Runx2, and CTSK were examined. In vitro, the let-7f overexpression/silencing vector was constructed and transfected to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of autophagy-associated proteins (ULK2, ATG5, ATG12, Beclin-1, LC3).

RESULTS

In vivo, ZGW promoted the bone quantity, quality, and strength; alleviated histological damage; increased the serum AKP activity; and reduced the autophagosome number in osteoblasts. Moreover, ZGW increased the let-7f, mTORC1, and Runx2 mRNA expressions and reduced the Beclin-1, ATG12, ATG5, LC3, and CTSK mRNA expressions. In vitro, bioinformatics prediction and dual luciferase reporter gene assay verified that let-7f targeted the binding to ULK2 and negatively regulated the ULK2 expression. Furthermore, by let-7f overexpression/silencing, ZGW may promote osteoblast differentiation of BMSCs by regulating let-7f and autophagy as evidenced by Western blot (ULK2, ATG5, ATG12, Beclin-1, LC3).

CONCLUSIONS

ZGW may ameliorate GC-induced spinal osteoporosis by promoting osteoblast differentiation of BMSCs by activation of let-7f and suppression of autophagy.

Animal Model for Glucocorticoid Induced Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review from 2011 to 2021

Clinical and experimental data have shown that prolonged exposure to GCs leads to bone loss and increases fracture risk. Special attention has been given to existing emerging drugs that can prevent and treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis GIOP. However, there is no consensus about the most relevant animal model treatments on GIOP. In this systematic review, we aimed to examine animal models of GIOP centering on study design, drug dose, timing and size of the experimental groups, allocation concealment, and outcome measures. The present review was written according to the PRISMA 2020 statement. Literature searches were performed in the PubMed electronic database via Mesh with the publication date set between April, 2011, and February 2021. A total of 284 full-text articles were screened and 53 were analyzed. The most common animal species used to model GIOP were rats (66%) and mice (32%). In mice studies, males (58%) were preferred and genetically modified animals accounted for 28%. Our work calls for a standardization of the establishment of the GIOP animal model with better precision for model selection. A described reporting design, conduction, and selection of outcome measures are recommended.

Total Flavonoids of Chuju Decrease Oxidative Stress and Cell Apoptosis in Ischemic Stroke Rats: Network and Experimental Analyses

Background: Pharmacological research results showed that total flavonoids of Chuju (TFCJ) could be used to treat acute myocardial ischemia and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this study, we explored the protective effect of TFCJ on ischemic stroke (IS) in the IS rat model. We hypothesized that TFCJ might exert its neuroprotective effects by suppressing apoptosis and oxidative stress that are closely related to PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Method: TFCJ (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) was administered for 7 days. Rats (260 ± 20 g) were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h and reperfusion for 24 h. The neuroprotective effect of TFCJ was substantiated in terms of neurological deficits, oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and malondialdehyde), pathomorphological changes (HE staining and TUNEL staining), and neurobehavioral functions in the rats. Then, we employed network pharmacology to reveal the potential mechanism of TFCJ against IS. Western blot was used to determine the levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway proteins. The expression of BCL-2, BAX, and cleaved-Caspase-3 was also measured by Western blots and RT-PCR. Results: The histopathological assessment showed that TFCJ reduced MCAO-induced brain damage. Besides, TFCJ exerted a protective role in MCAO rats by alleviating cell apoptosis and oxidative stress. Network pharmacology showed that TFCJ might be used against IS through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. TFCJ reduced cell apoptosis and oxidative stress by increasing the level of p-AKT and p-mTOR in MCAO rats, while the effect of TFCJ was significantly reversed when applying LY294002 (PI3k inhibitor). Conclusion: These results indicated that TFCJ might decrease oxidative stress and apoptosis that are closely related to PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in IS. TFCJ is a promising authentic traditional Chinese medicine for the management of IS.

miR-330-5p in Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Plastrum testudinis-Preconditioned Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuates Osteogenesis by Modulating Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling

The bone microenvironment is crucial for the growth and development of different types of osteocytes. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) secreted by bone mesenchymal stem cells are delivered to target cells where their contents regulate biological functions. Here, we evaluated the osteogenic effects and mechanism of sEVs derived from Plastrum testudinis-preconditioned bone mesenchymal stem cells (PT-sEV). The osteogenic effects of PT-sEV were evaluated by the differentiation of osteoblasts and the alternation of bone quality and quantity in ovariectomized rats. The specific mechanism was explored by high-throughput sequencing and verified by transfection with the corresponding miRNA mimic and inhibitor. RNA-sequence identified a unique enrichment of a set of miRNAs in PT-sEV compared with sEVs derived from untreated BMSCs. Overexpression or inhibition in vitro indicated that the osteogenic inducing potential of sEVs was mainly attributable to miR-330-5p, one of the most dramatically downregulated miRNAs in the PT-sEV fraction. Dual luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-330-5p negatively regulated osteogenesis by directly binding to the 3′ untranslated region of Tnc. Additional experiments showed that Tnc regulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and rescue experiment showed that miR-330-5p could restore β-catenin expression; additionally, animal experiments indicated that Wnt signaling was inactivated in the ovariectomized rats. These data demonstrated the regenerative potential of PT-sEV, which induced osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblasts, leading to bone formation. This process was achieved by delivering miR-330-5p, which regulated Tnc to control Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

A Network Pharmacology Approach for Exploring the Mechanisms of Panax notoginseng Saponins in Ischaemic Stroke

Background

Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) have been deemed effective herb compounds for treating ischaemic stroke (IS) and improving the quality of life of IS patients. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of PNS in the treatment of IS based on network pharmacology.

Methods

PNS were identified from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, and their possible targets were predicted using the PharmMapper database. IS-related targets were identified from the GeneCards database, OMIM database, and DisGeNET database. A herb-compound-target-disease network was constructed using Cytoscape, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were established with STRING. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis were performed using DAVID. The binding of the compounds and key targets was validated by molecular docking studies using AutoDock Vina. The neuroprotective effect of TFCJ was substantiated in terms of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and malondialdehyde) and the levels of IGF1/PI3K/Akt pathway proteins.

Results

A total of 375 PNS targets and 5111 IS-related targets were identified. Among these targets, 241 were common to PNS, and IS network analysis showed that MAPK1, AKT1, PIK3R1, SRC, MAPK8, EGFR, IGF1, HRAS, RHOA, and HSP90AA1 are key targets of PNS against IS. Furthermore, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that PNS probably exert therapeutic effects against IS by regulating many pathways, such as the Ras, oestrogen, FoxO, prolactin, Rap1, PI3K-Akt, insulin, PPAR, and thyroid hormone signalling pathways. Molecular docking studies further corroborated the experimental results.The network pharmacology results were further verified by molecular docking and in vivo experiments.

Conclusions

The ameliorative effects of PNS against IS were predicted to be associated with the regulation of the IGF1-PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. Ginsenoside Re and ginsenoside Rb1 may play an important role in the treatment of IS.

Network pharmacology integrated with experimental validation reveals the regulatory mechanism of plastrum testudinis in treating senile osteoporosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plastrum testudinis (PT) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat bone diseases such as senile osteoporosis (SOP) for thousands of years. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to investigate the possible molecular mechanism of PT in the treatment of SOP using an integrated strategy of network pharmacology and experimental validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The compounds of PT and its targets were identified through the BATMAN-TCM database. The SOP-related targets were retrieved from the GeneCards database. Protein-protein interaction information was obtained by inputting the intersection targets into the STRING database. Cytoscape software was used to construct a protein-protein interaction network and a PT-compound-target-SOP network. Using Cytoscape and R software, we conducted GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. We also conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments to verify the network pharmacology findings.

RESULTS

In total, 6 active compounds and 342 targets of PT were screened, of which 57 common targets were related to SOP. The GO biological process enrichment analysis identified 880 entries, mainly relating to the regulation of hormone response, the cell apoptotic process, the apoptotic signaling pathway, NF-kappaB transcription factor activity, fatty acid transportation, osteoclast differentiation, macrophage activation, and inflammatory response. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis identified 52 entries, including 14 related signaling pathways, which mainly involved the TNF, MAPK, IL-17, AGE-RAGE, estrogen, relaxin, and other signaling pathways. Our in vivo experiments confirmed that PT alleviates SOP, while the in vitro experiments demonstrated that PT exerts a suppressive effect on osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, we observed that PT downregulates the expression of osteoclast-specific genes, including C-FOS, TNF, and BDNF, in the MAPK signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Through network pharmacology and experimental validation, this study is the first to report that PT downregulates the expression of osteoclast-specific genes, including C-FOS, TNF, and BDNF, in the MAPK signaling pathway, thus exerting a suppressive effect on osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption, which may be the molecular mechanism for PT treatment of SOP.

Plastrum testudinis extract suppresses osteoclast differentiation via the NF-κB signaling pathway and ameliorates senile osteoporosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plastrum testudinis (PT) is a kind of single traditional Chinese medicine that can tonify kidney and strengthen bone. Plastrum testudinis extract (PTE) has been approved to promote the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. However, the mechanism by which PTE reduces osteoclast differentiation has not yet been reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the potential of PTE as a therapeutic treatment for bone loss caused by senile osteoporosis (SOP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated whether PTE could inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation both in vitro and in vivo, and investigated PTE-induced phenotypes of human peripheral blood monocytes.

RESULTS

We found that PTE inhibited osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner and that PTE treatment is most effective during the early stages of osteoclastogenesis. Moreover, we found that PTE could block the NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro, leading to the down-regulation of osteoclast-specific genes including C-FOS and NFATC1. The results from our in vivo mouse study suggest that PTE treatment suppresses osteoclast formation and mitigates bone loss caused by SOP. Notably, we also found that PTE inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in human peripheral blood monocytes.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that PTE treatment suppresses osteoclastogenesis and ameliorates bone loss caused by SOP by selectively blocking the nuclear translocation of NF-κB/p50.

Bioactive Herbal Extracts of Traditional Chinese Medicine Applied with the Biomaterials: For the Current Applications and Advances in the Musculoskeletal System

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated superior therapeutic effect for musculoskeletal diseases for thousands of years. Recently, the herbal extracts of TCM have received rapid advances in musculoskeletal tissue engineering (MTE). A literature review collecting both English and Chinese references on bioactive herbal extracts of TCM in biomaterial-based approaches was performed. This review provides an up-to-date overview of application of TCMs in the field of MTE, involving regulation of multiple signaling pathways in osteogenesis, angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, and chondrogenesis. Meanwhile, we highlight the potential advantages of TCM, opening the possibility of its extensive application in MTE. Overall, the superiority of traditional Chinese medicine turns it into an attractive candidate for coupling with advanced additive manufacturing technology.

Plastrum Testudinis Extract Mitigates Thiram Toxicity in Broilers via Regulating PI3K/AKT Signaling

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) negatively affects broilers all over the world, in which the accretion of the growth plate (GP) develops into tibial proximal metaphysis. Plastrum testudinis extract (PTE) is renowned as a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and bone healing agent. The current study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of PTE for the treatment of thiram-induced TD chickens. Broilers (day old; n = 300) were raised for 3 days with normal feed. On the 4th day, three groups (n = 100 each) were sorted, namely, the control (normal diet), TD, and PTE groups (normal diet+ thiram 50 mg/kg). On the 7th day, thiram was stopped in the TD and PTE group, and the PTE group received a normal diet and PTE (30 mg/kg/day). Plastrum testudinis extract significantly restored (p < 0.05) the liver antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, serum biochemicals, GP width, and tibia weight as compared to the TD group. The PTE administration significantly increased (p < 0.05) growth performance, vascularization, AKT (serine/threonine-protein kinase), and PI3K expressions and the number of hepatocytes and chondrocytes with intact nuclei were enhanced. In conclusion, PTE has the potential to heal TD lesions and act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drug in chickens exposed to thiram via the upregulation of AKT and PI3K expressions.

Effect of Plastrum Testudinis Extracts on the Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of rBMSCs by Regulating p38 MAPK-Related Genes

Extracts from plastrum testudinis (PTE) are active compounds that have been used to treat bone diseases in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. In previous studies, we demonstrated their effects on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis both in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanisms by which PTE regulates the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) in vitro remain poorly understood. In this study, rBMSCs were treated with medium (CON), PTE, osteogenic induction (OI), and a combination of PTE and OI (PTE+OI) over a 21-day period. We found that PTE significantly promoted rBMSCs osteogenic differentiation and mineralisation after 21 days of culturing. Moreover, PTE+OI further enhanced the differentiation and mineralisation process. PTE upregulated STE20, IGF1R, and p38 MAPK mRNA expression and downregulated TRAF6 mRNA expression. The extracts inhibited TRAF6 protein expression and promoted STE20, IGF1R, and phosphorylated p38 MAPK protein expression. Our results imply that PTE promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs by upregulating p38 MAPK, STE20, and IGF1R and downregulating TRAF6 expression, which may provide experimental evidence of the potential of PTE in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Decreased fracture incidence with traditional Chinese medicine therapy in patients with osteoporosis: a nationwide population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

There are no published studies regarding the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the prevention of osteoporotic fracture. Therefore, we conducted this nationwide, population-based cohort study to investigate the probable effect of TCM to decrease the fracture rate.

METHODS

We identified cases with osteoporosis and selected a comparison group that was frequency-matched according to sex, age (per 5 years), diagnosis year of osteoporosis, and index year. The difference between the two groups in the development of fracture was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test.

RESULTS

After inserting age, gender, urbanization level, and comorbidities into the Cox's proportional hazard model, patients who used TCM had a lower hazard ratio (HR) of fracture (adjusted HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.37-0.59) compared to the non-TCM user group. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that osteoporosis patients who used TCM had a lower incidence of fracture events than those who did not (p < 0.00001). Our study also demonstrated that the longer the TCM use, the lesser the fracture rate.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that TCM might have a positive impact on the prevention of osteoporotic fracture.

Decreased microRNA-182-5p helps alendronate promote osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in osteoporosis via the Rap1/MAPK pathway

Osteoporosis (OP) is a serious health problem that contributes to osteoporotic structural damage and bone fragility. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can exert important functions over bone endocrinology. Therefore, it is of substantial significance to clarify the expression and function of miRNAs in bone endocrine physiology and pathology to improve the potential therapeutic value for metabolism-related bone diseases. We explored the effect of microRNA-182-5p (miR-182-5p) on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in OP rats after alendronate (ALN) treatment by targeting adenylyl cyclase isoform 6 (ADCY6) through the Rap1/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Rat models of OP were established to observe the effect of ALN on OP, and the expression of miR-182-5p, ADCY6 and the Rap1/MAPK signaling pathway-related genes was determined. To determine the roles of miR-182-5p and ADCY6 in OP after ALN treatment, the relationship between miR-182 and ADCY6 was initially verified. Osteoblasts were subsequently extracted and transfected with a miR-182-5p inhibitor, miR-182-5p mimic, si-ADCY6 and the MAPK signaling pathway inhibitor U0126. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation were also determined. ALN treatment was able to ease the symptoms of OP. miR-182-5p negatively targeted ADCY6 to inhibit the Rap1/MAPK signaling pathway. Cells transfected with miR-182 inhibitor decreased the expression of ALP, BGP and COL I, which indicated that the down-regulation of miR-182-5p promoted cell differentiation and cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis. In conclusion, the present study shows that down-regulated miR-182-5p promotes the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in OP rats through Rap1/MAPK signaling pathway activation by up-regulating ADCY6, which may represent a novel target for OP treatment.

A novel non-sequencing approach for rapid authentication of Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum and Trionycis Carapax by species-specific primers

A novel non-sequencing approach was developed to detect short DNA fragments (ca 100 bp) for rapid authentication of two natural products, namely Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum and Trionycis Carapax, based on the difference in mitochondrial genome. Five specifically designed primer reactions were established to target species for reliable identification of their commercial products. They were confirmed to have a high level of inter-species-specificity and good intra-species stability. The limit of detection was estimated to be 1 ng of genomes for all of five assays. Also, the validation results demonstrated that the raw materials and processed products in addition to some of the highly processed products can be conveniently authenticated with good sensitivity and precision by this newly proposed approach. Especially, when reference sample mixtures were assayed, these primer sets have still performed well but not the prevailing COI barcoding technology. These could assist in the discrimination and identification of other animal-derived medicines for their form of raw material, the pulverized and the complex.