title: Rooibos flavonoids, orientin and luteolin, stimulate mineralization in human osteoblasts through the Wnt pathway.
abstract: METHODS
  Several epidemiological studies have shown that tea consumption is associated with higher bone mineral density in women. Flavonoids in tea are recognized as potential estrogen mimics and may positively influence bone metabolism in estrogen-deficient women. Luteolin and orientin, flavonoids from rooibos tea, are of particular interest as rooibos tea contains no caffeine that can be detrimental to bone health. This study analyzed changes in mineral content when luteolin or orientin was added to a human osteoblast cell line and the potential mechanisms involved. Measurements included alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, cell mitochondrial activity, toxicity, and changes in regulatory proteins involved in osteoblast metabolism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mineral was significantly elevated in Saos2 cells treated with orientin (0.1-1.0 μM, 15-100 μM) or luteolin (5.0 μM) and was associated with increased ALP and mitochondrial activity, as determined by the production of p-nitrophenol and the reduction of 2-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, respectively. Greater mineral content was also associated with lower toxicity as determined by lactate dehydrogenase activity and lower expression of TNF-α, IL-6, sclerostin, osteopontin, and osteoprotegerin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orientin and luteolin, flavonoids in rooibos tea, enhance mineral content in Saos2 cells. These findings provide guidance for doses to be studied in well-established animal models.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada; Centre for Bone and Muscle Health, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Sandra J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Wendy E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D036903:Aspalathus / Q000737:chemistry; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line / Q000187:drug effects; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005960:Glucosides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D047311:Luteolin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009596:Nitrophenols / Q000378:metabolism; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000378:metabolism; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D005419:Flavonoids; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005960:Glucosides; D009596:Nitrophenols; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; C422903:SOST protein, human; C506030:TNFRSF11B protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D053495:Osteopontin; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; C065886:orientin; D047311:Luteolin; C024836:4-nitrophenol
keywords: Flavonoid; Luteolin; Mineral; Orientin; Osteoblast; Rooibos