• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.501-506
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• 2000

We examined the antifibrotic effect of a methanol extract from Stephania tetrandra (ST) on experimental liver fibrosis. liver fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation and scission (BDL/S) in rats. In BDL/S rats, activity levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminse (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), concentration of total bilirubin in serum, and hydroxyproline content of the liver were significantly increased. The ST treatment (either 100 ${m}g/kg/day$ or 200 ${m}g/kg/day$, p.o. for 4 weeks) in BDL/S rats reduced the serum AST, ALT and ALP activity levels significantly (p<0.01). Similarly, when compared to the control group, the concentration of hydroxyproline in the livers of the BDL/S rats treated with 100${m}g$ or 200${m}g$ ST treated rats decreased by 40% and 33% respectively, when compared to the BDL/S control group (p<0.01). The morphological characteristics of fibrotic liver that were observed in the BDL/S control group, improved in the ST treated BDL/S group. In the fibrotic liver of BDL/S rats treated with ST, a marked reduction in the numbers of alpha smooth muscle cell actin positive stellate cells was observed. These results indicate that doses of either 100 or 200 ${m}g/kg/day$ of methanol extract from S. tetrandra, had an antifibrotic effect in rats with liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation and scission.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1049-1056
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• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Korean safflower(Carthamus. tinctorious L.) seed powder supplementation on bone metabolism during the recovery of rib-fracture induced by surgical operation in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats of 10 weeks old, weighing 370$\pm$5g, were divided into two groups after arrival : the control group(C group, AIN-76 semifurified diet) and safflower seed group(S group, AIN-76 semifurified diet+10% safflower seed powder). They were fed experimental diets for 12 days before the rib fracture operation and for 30 more days after the operation. A number 9 rib was fractured surgically and sham-operation was also performed. After the rib-fracture operation, rats were sacrificed on the 8th, 11th, 16th, 21st, and 30th day, respectively. The body weights were decreased on the 8th day after operation in both groups but recovered gradually thereafter. The fractured sections of the S group were more strongly adhered and more rapidly repaired than those of C group. Effects of safflower seed powder supplementation on indices of bone metabolism during the repairing of rib-fracture can be summarized as following. There were no differences between C and S group. In the levels of PTH and calcitonin, which regulate the concentration of plasma calcium. However, PTH level on the 8th day was significantly higher than that on the 16th day in control group. There were also no differences between groups or within groups in the levels of calcitonin. Osteocalcin levels, one of the bone-formation indices, were similar in two groups. Activities of total-ALP in plasma were highest at the 8th day in both groups and decreased thereafter, except on the 30th day in control group. The activities of bone-specific ALP that is directly related to bone calcification, showed higher levels in the S group than in the C group throughout the experimental period. They were significantly increased in the S group on the 11th, 16th, and 21st days. In comparisons of plasma calcium and phosphate levels, Ca levels were tended to be lower in the S group than in the C group and P levels showed the opposite trend. It seems that the fractured ribs were more rapidly repaired in rats supplemented with safflower seed powder than in control rats, possibly due to stimulation of bone calcification from increased activity of bone-specific ALP. (Korean J Nutrition 31(6) : 1049-1056, 1998)

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.452-458
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• 2003

Soybean is a rich source of isoflavones such as genistein and daidzein. Soy isoflavones have both weak estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects and are structurally similar to tamoxifen, an agent that has an effect similar to that of estrogen in terms of reducing postmenopausal bone loss. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of differences in protein source (casein vs soy) and isoflavone levels (reduced vs higher levels) on selected bone markers and hormones in growing male rats. Thirty weanling Sprague-Dawley young rats were divided into 3 groups: The control group was fed a casein-based diet, the soy concentrate group was fed soy protein with totally reduced isoflavones content (isoflavones 0.07 mg/g protein), and the soy isolate group was fed soy protein with a higher than normal isoflavones content (isoflavones 3.4 mg/g protein). The degree of bone formation was estimated by measuring serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphoatase (ALP). By determining collagen cross-linkage by immunoassay and correcting with creatinine values, the bone resorption rate was compared. Serum osteocalcin, growth hormone, estrogen and calcitonin were analyzed using radio immunoassay kits. The bone formation marker and ALP activity were differentiated by protein source, showing higher values than casein in feeding either soy isolate or soy concentrate. In this study using growing rats, the differences in isoflavone contents were not a significant factor in either bone formation or bone reaborption markers. Moreover, the soy isolate group had significantly higher levels of growth hormone than the casein group. The findings of this study suggest that growth hormone is partially responsible for its bone-formation effects in young growing rats. Soy protein and the isoflavones in soy protein are beneficial for bone-formation in growing male rats. Therefore, exposure to soy protein and isoflavones early in life may have long-term health benefits in preventing bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Further study to evaluate the mechanism of action of isoflavones on bones is warranted. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 452∼458, 2003)

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.225-246
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• 2003

Recent study on the enamel matrix derivatives explained on the effects of new bone and new attachment formation in infrabony pocket of periodontal defects. The purpose of this study was to investigate on the biological effects of enamel matrix derivatives to attachment, proliferation and activation of periodontal ligament and osteoblast cells, After treatment of osteoblast and PDL cells with various Emdogain concentration level(0.03${\mu}g$/ml, 3${\mu}g$/ml, 300${\mu}g$/ml), activation of osteogenetic factor, calcified nodule formation and measuring alkaline phosphatase activity(ALP) were performed. 1. Both osteoblast and PDL cell showed increasing initial cell attachment with 300${\mu}g$/ml Emdogain concentration. 2. At the level of 300${\mu}g$/ml, accelerated proliferation of oseoblast and PDL cell was appeared. 3. As Emdogain's concentration increased, increased ALP activation of osteoblast was shown. In case of PDL cell, Emdogain increased ALP activation prominently at the level of 300${\mu}g$/ml. 4. No statistically significant activating change were founded at all of the concentrations of Emdogain on the activating of transcript factor Runx2 for differentiating osteoblast. 5. At the level of 300${\mu}g$/ml, calcified nodule formation was increased prominently to compare with other concentration. These results indicated that Emdogain should activate initial attachment, proliferation and activation, but not on Runx2 activation and can be used for useful tool of the treatment of periodontal tissue regeneration.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2016

Osteoporosis is a bone pathology leading to increased fracture risk and challenging the quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an anthraquinone glycoside, aloin, on osteogenic induction of MC3T3-E1 cells. Aloin increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, an early differentiation marker of osteoblasts. Aloin also increased the ALP activity in adult human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSC), indicating that the action of aloin was not cell-type specific. Alizarin red S staining revealed a significant amount of calcium deposition in cells treated with aloin. Aloin enhanced the expression of osteoblast differentiation genes, Bmp-2, Runx2 and collagen 1a, in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis revealed that noggin and inhibitors of p38 MAPK and SAPK/JNK signals attenuated aloin-promoted expressions of Bmp-2 and Runx2 proteins. siRNA mediated blocking of Wnt-5a signaling pathway also annulled the influence of aloin, indicating Wnt-5a dependent activity. Inhibition of the different signal pathways abrogated the influence of aloin on ALP activity, confirming that aloin induced MC3T3-E1 cells into osteoblasts through MAPK mediated Wnt and Bmp signaling pathway.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.142-147
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• 2008

This study was purpose to investigate that Gucheokbogol-tang(GBT), mainly used in osteoporosis, has possible regulatory effect on bone regeneration by operating in proliferation and calcification of osteoblast. So that, their cytotoxicity and proliferation was investigated with MTT by ELISA, and morphological change was observed by optical microscope and electron microscope. And activation of alkaline phosphates(ALP) which is secreted in early stage of bone formation was measured, and accumulation of $Ca^{2+}$ in the process of calcification was investigated by alizaline red S assay(ARS). The results were as follows: The MG-63 cell, originated from human cell was activated in $10^{-5}$ treated group, and the level of ALP was also increased in the treated group, highest on the third day. And from the outcome of ARS assay of calcification process in the Gucheokbogol-tang(GBT) treated group for 21days. These results suggested that Gucheokbogol-tang(GBT) is effective in proliferation and calcification of osteoblast.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.637-642
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• 2010

Bone is continuously remodeled by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. We investigated the effects of medicinal herbs, which act on bone metabolism. Fifteen kinds of medicinal herb extracts were screened for bone formation activity with osteoblastic cells, and MC3T3-E1 and bone resorption were screened with osteoclasts derived from mouse bone marrow macrophages. Among these samples, Actinidia polygama, Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Sorbus commixta, and Zingiber officinale Rosc. extracts showed strong bone-forming activity accompanied with osteoblast proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity. In addition, these extracts decreased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity against osteoclast differentiation. The results indicate that these medicinal herb extracts can potentially prevent bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis by increasing osteoblast differentiation and reducing osteoclast activity.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2007

Ecdysteroids are known as insect molting hormone. At the same time, ecdysteroids and plant ecdysteroids (phytoecdysteorids) reveal beneficial effects on mammal. The present study was undertaken to determine the possible cellular mechanism of action of phytoecdysteroids in bone metabolism. The effects on the osteoblasts were determined by measuring cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and gelatinase activity. The effects on the osteoclasts were investigated by measuring tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)(+) multinucleated cells (MNCs) formation after culturing osteoclast precursors. Phytoecdysteroid treatment showed a increase in ALP activity of osteoblasts. Phytoecdysteroid increased the activity of gelatinase. In addition, phytoecdysteroid decreased the osteoclast generation induced by macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) in (M-CSF)-dependent bone marrow macrophage (MDBM) cell cultures. Taken these results, phytoecdysteroid may be a regulatory protein within the bone marrow microenvironment.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.579-590
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Petasites japonicus Maxim (P. japonicus) has been used as an edible and medicinal plant and contains many bioactive compounds. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of P. japonicus on osteogenesis. MATERIALS/METHODS: The leaves and stems of P. japonicus were separated and extracted with hot water or ethanol, respectively. The total phenolic compound and total polyphenol contents of each extract were measured, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of each extract was evaluated to determine their effect on bone metabolism. To investigate the effect on osteoblast differentiation of the aqueous extract of P. japonicus leaves (AL), which produced the highest ALP activity among the tested extracts, collagen content was measured using the Sirius Red staining method, mineralization using the Alizarin Red S staining method, and osteocalcin production through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. Also, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to investigate the mRNA expression levels of Runt-related transcriptional factor 2 (Runx2) and Osterix. RESULTS: Among the 4 P. japonicus extracts, AL had the highest values in all of the following measures: total phenolic compounds, total polyphenols, and ALP activity, which is a major biomarker of osteoblast differentiation. The AL-treated MC3T3-E1 cells showed significant increases in induced osteoblast differentiation, collagen synthesis, mineralization, and osteocalcin production. In addition, mRNA expressions of Runx2 and Osterix, transcription factors that regulate osteoblast differentiation, were significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that AL can regulate osteoblasts differentiation, at least in part through Runx2 and Osterix. Therefore, it is highly likely that P. japonicus will be useful as an alternate therapeutic for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.1
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• pp.73-87
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• 2024

Wolfiporia hoelen (Fr.) Y.C.Dai & V. Papp, commonly known as Poria cocos, is a significant traditional herb used for medicinal and culinary purposes Asian and European countries. Many studies have confirmed that the main components of W. hoelen have pharmacological activities and thatits extract has been shown to affect bone metabolism. This study aimed to the potential of a 50% ethanol extract of the sclerotium of W. hoelen for preventing and treating bone diseases. The ethanol extract was systematically fractionated using n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate. The dichloromethane fraction caused an approximately 29% increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) differentiation activity in C2C12 cells compared to the control. Four compounds isolated from this active dichloromethane fraction were identified through instrumental analysis and literature references as 3α-dehydrotrametenolic acid, ergosterol, pachymic acid, and dehydrotumulosic acid. All four compounds were evaluated at increasing concentrations (1, 3, 10, 30, and 100 μM) to determine their effects on ALP differentiation activity in C2C12 cells and RANKL-induced inhibition activity in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs), with a concurrent assessment of cytotoxicity at these concentrations. At a concentration of 3 μM, dehydrotumulosic acid caused a 160% increase in ALP activity, 24% higher than in the BMP-2 control. BMMs treated with dehydrotumulosic acid at concentrations between 10 and 100 μM showed a substantial 15-86% decrease in RANKL-induced inhibition activity compared to the control, with distinct patterns of RANKL inhibition and cytotoxicity observed at 10 μM. These findings suggest that the ethanol extract from the sclerotium of W. hoelen has potential to modulate bone-cell differentiation, while highlighting the possible benefits of dehydrotumulosic acid isolated from the dichloromethane fraction of W. hoelen for preventing and treating osteoporosis.