title: [Effects of Epimedium pubescens icariine on proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effects of epimedium pubescens icariine on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human osteoblasts were obtained by inducting human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) directionally. MTT was used to observe the proliferation and activity of ALP was assayed to observe the differentiation of the third passage human osteoblasts cultured in vitro. The expression of BMP-2 mRNA was checked by RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epimedium pubescens icariine at the dose of 20 microg x mL(-1) increased greatly the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts and promoted the expression of BMP-2 mRNA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epimedium pubescens icariine enhances significantly the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts, which may be mediated by increasing the expression of BMP-2 mRNA.
authors.affiliation: Third Hospital of Peking University, Beijing 100083, China. yxx2733_cn@sina.com
authors.forename: Xiao-xue
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Zhong-qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Geng-ting
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.forename: Qing-jun
authors.initials: QJ
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Zhong-jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D034181:Epimedium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C525718:BMP2 protein, human; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D005419:Flavonoids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C056599:icariin