title: Cistanche deserticola extract increases bone formation in osteoblasts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the effect of Cistanche deserticola Ma. (CD) on bone formation by cultured osteoblasts.
  
  
  METHODS
  The mineralized nodule formation assay was used to examine the in-vitro effects of CD on bone formation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)-2 and osteopontin (OPN) mRNA expression was analysed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The mechanism of action of CD extract was investigated using Western blotting. The in-vivo anti-osteoporotic effect of CD extract was assessed in ovariectomized mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CD extract had no effect on the proliferation, migration or wound healing of cultured osteoblasts, but increased ALP, BMP-2 and OPN mRNA and bone mineralization. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or nuclear factor (NF)-κB inhibitors reduced CD extract-induced bone formation and ALP, BMP-2 and OPN expression. However, CD extract did not affect osteoclastogenesis. In addition, CD extract prevented the bone loss induced by ovariectomy in vivo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CD may be a novel bone formation agent for the treatment of osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Te-Mao
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hsin-Chih
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chen-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Tin-Yun
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Chi-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Wen-Chi
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yi-Chin
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: Chih-Hsin
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D031671:Cistanche; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000187:drug effects; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053495:Osteopontin; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase