Andrographolide Exerts Pro-Osteogenic Effect by Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Vitro.
OBJECTIVE
Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disorders that tortures about millions of people worldwide. Recent studies showed that Andrographolide (AP) is a promising natural compound for the treatment of osteoclast-related bone diseases. However, its potential in treatment of osteoporosis has not been fully explored.


METHODS
In this study, the effect of AP on osteoblasts metabolism was investigated via the detection of cell proliferation, cell viability, ALP activity, the expression of osteogenic specific genes including runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteocalcin (OCN), Bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP2) and Alkaline phosphatase(ALP) for 3, 5 and 7 days respectively. Further exploration of the association of AP with WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway was performed by examination of the expression of WNT related genes and proteins.


RESULTS
Results showed that AP of 4.46 and 8.92 µM, especially 8.92 µM was beneficial to osteogenic differentiation by upregulating ALP activity and expression of osteogenic related genes (P<0.05). Pathway analyses identify canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway as an important mediator in AP-induced osteogenesis.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that AP exerts its pro-osteogenic potential via activation of the WNT/β-catenin in osteoblasts and thus may represent a candidate of therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.
Tongmeng
T
Jiang
Bo
B
Zhou
Li
L
Huang
Huayu
H
Wu
Jiancheng
J
Huang
Tihong
T
Liang
Hui
H
Liu
Li
L
Zheng
Jinmin
J
Zhao
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D008954:Models, Biological; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000378:metabolism; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000187:drug effects*
D004224:Diterpenes; D015675:Osteocalcin; C030419:andrographolide; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase