title: Icariin stimulates MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and differentiation through             up-regulation of bone morphogenetic protein-2.
abstract: Previous studies suggest that icariin has anabolic effects on bone, but the mechanisms are unknown. We aimed to investigate the osteogenic effects of icariin in an undifferentiated osteoblast cell line by detecting cell morphology, viability, cell cycling and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) expression. We treated pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells with different concentrations of icariin [0 (as a control), 10, 20 and 40 ng/ml] for 48, 72 and 96 h. Cell morphology, viability and the cell cycle were examined and measured using microscopy, the MTT assay or flow cytometry, respectively. BMP-2-positive cells and BMP-2 protein expression levels in icariin-treated MC3T3-E1 cells were examined using immunohistochemistry staining with fluorescence optical density analysis and Western blotting. MC3T3-E1 cells showed typical characteristics of osteoblasts in response to treatment with icariin. Cells treated with all concentrations of icariin had increased percentages of S-phase cells and decreased percentages of G1-phase cells, especially in the 10 and 20 ng/ml icariin groups. The number of BMP-2-positive cells and BMP-2 protein expression levels in the 10 and 20 ng/ml icariin treatment groups were greater compared to the 0 and 40 ng/ml groups. Treatment of icariin promotes osteoblast MC3T3-E1 proliferation and differentiation in vitro, potentially owing to its role in increasing BMP-2 protein expression. Icariin potentially can be used as a drug in clinical settings to treat osteoporosis.
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hubei University of Medicine,                     Shiyan 442000, Hubei, P.R. China.
authors: Hong
authors: H
authors: Cao
authors: Yong
authors: Y
authors: Ke
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
authors: Chang-Jun
authors: CJ
authors: Zhang
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Qian
authors: Gong-Li
authors: GL
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; C056599:icariin