Unbalanced differentiation of bone marrow cells into adipocytes rather than osteoblasts causes severe bone-related disorders, such as osteoporosis. Natural products that can act against unbalanced differentiation are targeted for development of functional dietary supplements. Limonium tetragonum, a halophyte known for anti-oxidant constituents, was studied for beneficial effects in prevention of adipogenesis of bone marrow stromal D1 cells in vitro. Solvent-partitioned extract fractions of L. tetragonum prevented differentiating D1 cells from accumulating lipids. Expression of the key adipogenic markers PPARγ, SREBP1c, and C/EBPα were inhibited at mRNA and protein levels. Suppressed protein levels of the phosphorylated MAPK-related factors ERK, JNK, and p-38 indicated inhibition of PPARγ pathway-linked adipogenesis in D1 cells. The n-BuOH fraction was the most effective fraction for bioactive substances. L. tetragonum inhibited adipogenesis in D1 bone marrow stromal cells due to the presence of bioactive flavonoids.
Keywords: D1 cell; Limonium tetragonum; PPARγ; adipogenesis; bone marrow.