Purslane suppresses osteoclast differentiation and bone resorbing activity via inhibition of Akt/GSK3β-c-Fos-NFATc1 signaling in vitro and prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced bone loss in vivo.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is popular as a potherb in many areas of Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean region and is widely distributed around the globe. It has a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as antibacterial, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative properties. Although the extract of purslane has numerous beneficial pharmacological effects, its effect on osteoclasts remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the anti-osteoclastogenic activity in vitro and in vivo and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. The effect of purslane on the differentiation and function of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) into osteoclasts was examined using a phenotype assay such as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, F-actin staining, and pit assay and followed by confirmation by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. To address the effect of purslane in vivo, the inflammatory, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced osteolysis mouse model was chosen. Bone volume and bone microarchitecture were evaluated by microcomputed tomography and histologic analysis. Purslane inhibited receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)-stimulated osteoclast differentiation accompanied by inhibition of Akt/glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) signaling, which could underlie purslane-induced downregulation of c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) expression levels, transcription factors that regulate osteoclast-specific genes, as well as osteoclast fusion and resorption-related molecules. Moreover, in vivo studies further verified the bone protection activity of purslane in the LPS-induced osteolysis animal model. Purslane could exhibit its anti-osteoclastogenic activity by inhibiting Akt/GSK3β-c-Fos-NFATc1 signaling cascades. Therefore, purslane is a potential natural medicine for the treatment of osteoclast-related diseases.
Imaging Science-Based Lung and Bone Diseases Research Center, Wonkwang University.
Ju-Young
JY
Kim
Hyun Mee
HM
Oh
Sung Chul
SC
Kwak
Yoon-Hee
YH
Cheon
Myeung Su
MS
Lee
Mun Chual
MC
Rho
Jaemin
J
Oh
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008297:Male; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D031822:Portulaca; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D053245:RANK Ligand; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; C000605507:Gsk3b protein, mouse; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3