title: Synergistic or antagonistic effect of MTE plus TF or icariin from Epimedium koreanum on the proliferation and differentiation of primary osteoblasts in vitro.
abstract: 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide test and alkaline phosphatase activity assay were employed to assess the effects of mixed trace elements including Zn(2+), Ca(2+), and Mn(2+) plus total flavonoids or icariin from Epimedium koreanum on the proliferation and differentiation of primary osteoblasts in vitro. The results indicated that icariin (0.1, 1, and 10 μmol/L) and total flavonoids (0.06, 0.6, and 6 μg/mL) inhibited the proliferation and promoted the differentiation of primary osteoblasts. Mixed trace elements including Zn(2+), Ca(2+), and Mn(2+) (0.1, 1, and 10 μmol/L) inhibited the proliferation and promoted the differentiation at 0.1 and 1 μmol/L, but inhibited the differentiation at 10 μmol/L. The effects of mixed trace elements including Zn(2+), Ca(2+), and Mn(2+) plus total flavonoids or icariin from E. koreanum on the proliferation and differentiation of primary osteoblasts in vitro are complicated, and both synergistic and antagonistic effects are generated. The results suggest that there may be a potential cooperative action between flavonoids and trace metal elements on the proliferation and differentiation of primary osteoblasts by forming metal complexes. The combination model between flavonoids and trace metal elements is a pivotal factor for switching the biological effects from toxicity to activity, from damage to protection.
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, People's Republic of China. jczhang6970@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Jinchao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yaping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Cuilian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Dawei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004336:Drug Antagonism; D004357:Drug Synergism; D034181:Epimedium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014131:Trace Elements; C056599:icariin