Osteoporosis is one of the most common bone diseases, occurring due to an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ishige sinicola, a brown alga, on osteoblast differentiation through the activation of the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)/runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) signalling pathway in MC3T3-E1 cells. A cell proliferation assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, alizarin red staining, and expression analysis of osteoblastic genes were carried out to assess MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation. We found that I. sinicola extract (ISE) increased cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Ishige sinicola extract markedly promoted ALP activity and mineralization. Alizarin red S staining demonstrated that ISE treatment tended to increase extracellular matrix calcium accumulation. Moreover, ISE up-regulated the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand ratio. Ishige sinicola extract also increased the protein expression levels of type 1 collagen, ALP, osteocalcin, osterix, BMP-2, and Runx2. Therefore, ISE showed potential in stimulating osteoblastic bone formation, and it might be useful for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro potential of water extract from torrefied oak wood as a natural antioxidant. The antioxidant potential of the extracts was assessed by employing different in vitro assays, including reducing power, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)], and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant potential) assays. The DPPH activity of the extract was increased in a dosedependent manner. Measurement of total flavonoid content of water extract from torrefied oak wood was achieved using an aluminum chloride colorimetric assay; the extract contained 192.12 mg/g flavonoid, which was significantly high when compared with standard quercetin. The results obtained in this study indicate that water extract from torrefied oak wood has significant potential for use as a natural antioxidant agent.
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by decreased bone strength, decreased bone mass, and bone deterioration. The current study investigates the effects of Gloiopeltis furcata ethanol extract (GFE) on antioxidant activity and osteoblast differentiation in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. Antioxidant activities of GFE were examined by evaluating 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and total polyphenol content. Results showed that GFE contains 3.04 mg gallic acid equivalents/mL. GFE exhibited significantly strong scavenging activity in the DPPH assay, and 54.26% SOD activity was exhibited at 1,000 mg/mL concentration. Furthermore, GFE significantly increased the viability and proliferation of the MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. Exposure to GFE promoted alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralized nodules in MC3T3-E1 cells. Moreover, a dose-dependent increase in the expression of proteins associated with osteoblast growth and differentiation, such as Runx2, ALP, and osterix, was observed in the GFE-treated cells. Taken together, these results indicate that GFE encompasses both antioxidant potential and osteoblast differentiation properties. Thus, we conclude that GFE can potentially be applied as an alternate therapy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
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