title: Cuscuta chinensis extract promotes osteoblast differentiation and mineralization in human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the aqueous extract of To-Sa-Za (TSZ-AE), the seed of Cuscuta chinensis Lam., which is a traditional medicinal herb commonly used in Korea and other oriental countries, could induce osteogenic activity in human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells. TSZ-AE treatment mildly promoted the proliferation of MG-63 cells at doses of 500 and 1,000 microg/mL in the 24-hour culture period. Dose-dependent increases in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and collagen synthesis were shown at 48 and 72 hours of incubation. The release of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 but not osteocalcin in the MG-63 cells was induced by TSZ-AE at 72 hours (100-1,000 microg/mL). In addition, TSZ-AE markedly increased mRNA expression of ALP, collagen, and BMP-2 in the MG-63 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Mineralization in the culture of MG-63 cells was significantly induced at 500 and 1,000 microg/mL TSZ-AE treatment. In conclusion, this study shows that TSZ-AE enhanced ALP activity, collagen synthesis, BMP-2 expression, and mineralization in MG-63 cells. These results strongly suggest that C. chinensis can play an important role in osteoblastic bone formation and may possibly lead to the development of bone-forming drugs.
authors.affiliation: Regional Innovation Center for Efficacy Assessment and Development of Functional Foods and Drugs, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Mo
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hyun-Kyung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Young-Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Jin-Kyung
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D034182:Cuscuta; D006801:Humans; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000378:metabolism; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012639:Seeds
chemical_list: C525718:BMP2 protein, human; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015675:Osteocalcin; D003094:Collagen; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase