Poncirin prevents bone loss in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in vivo and in vitro

J Bone Miner Metab. 2012 Sep;30(5):509-16. doi: 10.1007/s00774-012-0350-8. Epub 2012 Mar 13.

Abstract

Poncirin, a flavonoid isolated from the fruit of Poncirus trifoliata, possesses anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the action of poncirin in bone biology is unclear. In this study, the in vivo and in vitro effects of poncirin in a glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) mouse model were investigated. Seven-month-old male mice were assigned to the following five groups: (1) sham-implantation (sham), (2) prednisolone 2.1 mg/kg/day (GC), (3) GC treated with 10 mg/kg/day of genistein, (4) GC treated with 3 mg/kg/day of poncirin, (5) and GC treated with 10 mg/kg/day of strontium (GC + SrCl(2)). After 8 weeks, bone loss was measured by microcomputed tomography. Osteocalcin (OC) and C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (CTX) were evaluated in sera. Runx2 protein, OC and osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and mineral nodule assay were performed in C3H10T1/2 or primary bone marrow stromal cells. Poncirin significantly increased the bone mineral density and improved the microarchitecture. Poncirin increased serum OC, Runx2 protein production, expression of OC and OPG mRNA, ALP activity, and mineral nodule formation; and decreased serum CTX. These effects were more prominent in the poncirin group compared to the other positive control groups (genistein and strontium). The poncirin-mediated restoration of biochemical bone markers, increased bone mineral density, and improved trabecular microarchitecture likely reflect increased bone formation and decreased bone resorption in GIO mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / genetics
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Bone Density / drug effects
  • Bone Density / physiology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / pathology
  • Bone Resorption / genetics
  • Bone Resorption / metabolism
  • Bone Resorption / pathology
  • Bone Resorption / prevention & control*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen Type I / blood
  • Collagen Type I / genetics
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / blood
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / genetics
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / metabolism
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / drug effects
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / metabolism
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Osteocalcin / blood
  • Osteocalcin / genetics
  • Osteocalcin / metabolism
  • Osteoporosis / genetics
  • Osteoporosis / metabolism
  • Osteoporosis / pathology
  • Osteoporosis / prevention & control*
  • Osteoprotegerin / genetics
  • Osteoprotegerin / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Stromal Cells / drug effects
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism
  • Stromal Cells / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Collagen Type I
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit
  • Flavonoids
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Osteoprotegerin
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Runx2 protein, mouse
  • Osteocalcin
  • poncirin
  • Alkaline Phosphatase