Prunella vulgaris L protects glucocorticoids-induced osteogenesis inhibition in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through activating the Smad pathway

L. Xi, Y.-F. Zhang, Z.-J. Zhao, D.-S. Pan, W. Liang

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xian, China. Liangweifmmuor@163.com

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• Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role of Prunella vulgaris L (PVL) in protecting glucocorticoids (GC)-induced osteogenesis inhibition, thereafter, protecting the deterioration of osteoporosis (OP).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was conducted to assess the influence of PVL treatment on MSCs viability. Osteogenesis in MSCs was induced by Dexamethasone (DEX) stimulation. Regulatory effects of PVL on osteogenesis-related gene expressions, ALP activity, and mineralization ability in DEX-induced MSCs were determined. At last, protein levels of p-Smad1/5/9 and total-Smad1/5/9 influenced by DEX and PVL were measured by Western blot.
RESULTS: PVL treatment did not pose a time- or dose-dependent influence on MSCs viability. DEX induction in MSCs downregulated ALP, RUNX2, Bglap, and Osterix. ALP activity and mineralization in DEX-induced MSCs were suppressed. Downregulated osteogenesis-related genes decreased ALP activity and mineralization in MSCs undergoing DEX stimulation were partially reversed by PVL treatment. Moreover, the downregulated p-Smad1/5/9 level in DEX-induced MSCs was elevated by PVL treatment, while total-Smad1/5/9 was not affected.
CONCLUSIONS: PVL alleviated GC-induced suppression in MSCs osteogenesis by activating the Smad pathway, thereafter, protecting the deterioration of OP.

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