[Effects of rat serum containing total flavonoid extract of Epimedium sagittatum on development of osteoblasts].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of total flavonoid extract of Epimedium sagittatum (TFE) on the proliferation and differentiation of newborn rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROB).


METHODS
TFE was supplemented into the culture medium of ROB at 0. 1, 1, 10 and 100 microg x mL(-1) respectively. The serum of rats administered TFES (SRAT) was also added into the medium in a parallel treatment at 2.5%, 5% and 10% respectively. Their effects on cell proliferation and differentiation was studied by MTT and the analysis of osteogenic differentiation marks.


RESULTS
TFE had no appreciable and on cell proliferation and differentiation at any concentration. However, 2.5% and 5% SRAT stimulated cell proliferation strongly and, 5% SRAT significantly promoted the maturation and function of osteoblast by improving the alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin secretion, calcium deposition and the number of mineralized nodular structures.


CONCLUSIONS
The metabolites of TFE should be the anti-osteoporosis constitutes of Epimedium sagittatum.
Ma
Hui-Ping
HP
Department of Pharmacy, Lanzhou General Hospital, PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China.
Jia
Zheng-Ping
ZP
Cheng
Ke-Ming
KM
Zhang
Ru-Xue
RX
Li
Mao-Xing
MX
Wang
Juan
J
D000818:Animals; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D034181:Epimedium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; D002118:Calcium