title: Thymoquinone accelerates osteoblast differentiation and activates bone morphogenetic protein-2 and ERK pathway.
abstract: Thymoquinone (TQ), the active component of Nigella sativa L. is well known for its various beneficial effects against several diseases. However, its detailed effect on bone metabolism has not been studied before. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of TQ on the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells. Our data shows that TQ induced the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells and proved to be non-toxic for up to 72 h of incubation. TQ induced the mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells as evidenced by an increase in bone nodule formation 14 days post TQ treatment. qRT-PCR analysis shows that TQ induced the expression levels of differentiation related genes including alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and osteopontin, while no effect was seen on collagen 1a1. TQ also induced the expression levels of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and upregulated the phosphorylation of ERK signaling pathway. In summary, the present study shows for the first time that TQ has anabolic effects on MC3T3-E1 cells and that this effect is mediated by an increase in the expression of BMP-2 along with the involvement of the ERK signaling pathway. This study also reveals that TQ may be beneficial in inducing osteogenesis.
authors: Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors: André
authors: A
authors: Wirries
authors: Ann-Kristin
authors: AK
authors: Schubert
authors: René
authors: R
authors: Zimmermann
authors: Samir
authors: S
authors: Jabari
authors: Steffen
authors: S
authors: Ruchholtz
authors: Nahed
authors: N
authors: El-Najjar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; 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; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016227:Benzoquinones; C525719:Bmp2 protein, mouse; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D015675:Osteocalcin; D053495:Osteopontin; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; C003466:thymoquinone