title: Ginsenoside Rh1 induces mouse osteoblast growth and differentiation through the bone morphogenetic protein 2/runt-related gene 2 signalling pathway.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the stimulative and pharmacological effects of ginsenoside Rh1 (hereinafter referred to as: Rh1) on differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast and its possible mechanism of action on the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)/Runt-related gene 2 (Runx2) signalling pathways using mouse preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell line as in-vitro model.
  
  
  METHODS
  An in-vitro stimulative activity of Rh1 was assessed by analyzing alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), type-I collagen (Coll-I) synthesis, mineralization and glutathione content. Its antioxidant activity was measured by evaluating the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the presence of antimycin A (AMA), one of the mitochondrial dysfunction factors. The level of BMP-2/Runx2 signal-regulated osteoblast-specific proteins such as osteocalcin (OCN), Coll-I and ALP were detected using Western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rh1 was capable to stimulate cell growth, ALP activity, Coll-I synthesis, mineralization and glutathione content in the MC3T3-E1 cells. BMP-2 and Runx2 expression were also increased by Rh1 concentration dependently. Additionally, Rh1 also showed inhibitory action on the level of ROS production enhanced by AMA in MC3T3-E1 cells. Rh1 could increase the expression level of BMP-2/Runx2 signal-regulated osteogenic markers such as ALP, Coll-I and OCN.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rh1, a protopanaxatriol type's active ingredients of Panax ginseng Meyer, possesses osteoblast differentiation, osteogenic stimulatory and anti-oxidative activity.
authors.affiliation: Ginseng Genetic Resource Bank, Graduate School of Biotechnology and College of Life Science, Kyung Hee University, Giheunggu Yonginsi, Gyeonggido, South Korea.
authors.forename: Muhammad Hanif
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Siddiqi
authors.forename: Muhammad Zubair
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Siddiqi
authors.forename: Sungeun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Yeon-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Deok Chun
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / Q000235:genetics; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / Q000235:genetics*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: C525719:Bmp2 protein, mouse; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit; D036145:Ginsenosides; C493716:Runx2 protein, mouse; C425564:ginsenoside Rh1
keywords: MC3T3-E1 cells; Panax ginseng; bone morphogenetic protein/runt-related gene 2; differentiation; ginsenosides; osteoblast