title: Beta-ecdysterone induces osteogenic differentiation in mouse mesenchymal stem cells and relieves osteoporosis.
abstract: The effect on bone tissue of beta-ecdysterone, a type of ecdysteroid found in many plants, has not been previously investigated. In this study, we found that beta-ecdysterone treatment significantly induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in mesenchymal stem cells in a dose-dependent manner. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that Runx2, osteocalcin, and type I collagen expression also increased. ICI182780, a specific estrogen receptor antagonist, inhibited the upregulation of ALP activity. Moreover, beta-ecdysterone promoted estrogen receptor (ER) reporter gene activity; however, ICI182780 reversed its effect, suggesting that beta-ecdysterone has stimulatory effects on osteogenic differentiation via the ER. Furthermore, beta-ecdysterone alleviated osteoporosis symptoms in a mouse model without obvious side effects. Therefore beta-ecdysterone may be a promising candidate drug for the treatment of osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, PR China. gaolei1107@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Guoping
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Xiaojun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001391:Azo Compounds; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004441:Ecdysterone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017930:Genes, Reporter / Q000187:drug effects; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000187:drug effects; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D014162:Transfection; D014212:Tretinoin
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004396:Coloring Agents; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D004441:Ecdysterone; D014212:Tretinoin; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; C022616:thiazolyl blue; C011049:oil red O