Puerariae radix promotes differentiation and mineralization in human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells

J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Apr 6;104(3):345-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.09.041. Epub 2006 Feb 7.

Abstract

Puerariae radix (PR) is a traditional medicine herb used for enhancing body resistance against various diseases. The aim of this study was to identify whether Puerariae radix extract induces osteogenic activity in human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells. Puerariae radix had no effect on the viability of osteoblastic cells, and dose-dependently increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Puerariae radix markedly increased mRNA expression for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), and type I collagen (Col I) in SaOS-2 cells. Extracellular accumulation of proteins such as VEGF and Col I was increased in a dose-dependent manner. Also, Puerariae radix significantly induced mineralization in the culture of SaOS-2 cells. In conclusion, this study showed that Puerariae radix had no effect on viability, but enhanced ALP activity, VEGF, bone matrix proteins such as OCN, OPN, and Col I, and mineralization in SaOS-2 cells. These results propose that Puerariae radix can play an important role in osteoblastic bone formation, and may possibly lead to the development of bone-forming drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / biosynthesis
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / genetics
  • Calcification, Physiologic / drug effects*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Collagen Type I / biosynthesis
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Osteoblasts / cytology
  • Osteoblasts / drug effects*
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • Osteocalcin / biosynthesis
  • Osteopontin
  • Pueraria
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sialoglycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Collagen Type I
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • RNA, Messenger
  • SPP1 protein, human
  • Sialoglycoproteins
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • plant extract, Puerariae Radix
  • Osteocalcin
  • Osteopontin
  • Alkaline Phosphatase