Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative joint diseases in the world, characterized primarily by the progressive degradation of articular cartilage. Accumulating evidence has shown that Morusin, a flavonoid derived from the root bark of Morus alba (mulberry) plants, exerts unique protective properties in several diseases. However, its effects on OA, specifically, have not yet been characterized. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of Morusin on mouse chondrocytes and its underlying mechanism in vitro. In addition, the protective effect of Morusin on destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) model was also explored in vivo. Results: In vitro, IL-1β-induced activation of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, INOS and COX2) was dramatically suppressed by Morusin. Further, Morusin treatment inhibited the expression of ADAMTS5 and metalloproteinase (MMPs), both of which regulate extracellular matrix degradation. Morusin also decreased IL-1β-induced p65 phosphorylation and IκBα degradation. In vivo, degradation of the articular cartilage following surgical DMM, which mimicked OA pathology, was abrogated following treatment with Morusin, thus demonstrating a protective effect in the DMM model. Conclusion: Herein, we demonstrate that Morusin reduces the OA inflammatory response in vitro and protects against articular cartilage degradation in vivo potentially via regulation of the NF-κB pathway. Hence, Morusin may prove to be an effective candidate for novel OA therapeutic strategies.

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Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common form of primary osteoporosis, and the incidence of the condition is rapidly increasing. In consideration of the limitations of current therapeutic options for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, there is an urgent need to develop safer alternatives. Anacardic acid, a natural phenolic acid compound extracted from cashew nut shell, possesses potent antitumor and anti‐inflammatory effects and inhibits NF‐κB signaling. However, its effect on osteoclasts remains unknown. This study reports the first evidence for the antiosteoclastogenic and antiresorptive effects of anacardic acid on bone marrow–derived macrophage–derived osteoclasts. Mechanistically, anacardic acid disrupts the phosphorylation of TGF‐β activated kinase 1 and subsequently suppresses multiple receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand–induced signaling cascades, ultimately inhibiting the induction and activation of the crucial osteoclast transcriptional factor nuclear factor of activated T‐cell cytoplasmic 1. Consistent with cellular results in vitro, anacardic acid treatment improves bone density in the murine model of ovariectomy‐induced bone loss. Taken together, our study provides promising evidence for the therapeutic application of anacardic acid as a new potential pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis.—Zhao, K., Jia, Y., Peng, J., Pang, C., Zhang, T., Han, W., Jiang, J., Lu, X., Zhu, J., Qian, Y. Anacardic acid inhibits RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro and prevents ovariectomy‐induced bone loss in vivo. FASEB J. 33, 9100–9115 (2019). http://www.fasebj.org

Introduction: Osteoclasts are giant polynuclear cells; their main function is bone resorption. An increased number of osteoclasts and enhanced bone resorption exert significant effects on osteoclast-related bone-lytic diseases, including osteoporosis. Given the limitations of current therapies for osteolytic diseases, it is urgently required to develop safer and more effective alternatives. Sarsasapogenin, a major sapogenin from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, possesses potent antitumor effects and inhibits NF-κB and MAPK signaling. However, the manner in which it affects osteoclasts is unclear. Methods: We investigated the effects of anti-osteoclastogenic and anti-resorptive of sarsasapogenin on bone marrow-derived osteoclasts. Results: Sarsasapogenin inhibited multiple RANKL-induced signaling cascades, thereby inhibiting the induction of key osteoclast transcription factor NFATc1. The in vivo and in vitro results were consistent: sarsasapogenin treatment protected against bone loss in a mouse osteolysis model induced by lipopolysaccharide. Conclusion: Our research confirms that sarsasapogenin can be used as a new treatment for osteoclast-related osteolytic diseases.

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by reduced bone quantity and microstructure, typically owing to increased osteoclastogenesis and/or enhanced osteoclastic bone resorption, resulting in uncontrolled bone loss, which primarily affects postmenopausal women. In consideration of the severe side effects of current drugs for osteoporosis, new safe and effective medications are necessary. Pristimerin (Pri), a quinone methide triterpene extracted from Celastraceae and Hippocrateaceae members, exhibits potent antineoplastic and antiinflammatory effects. However, its effect on osteoclasts remains unknown. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the anti-osteoclastogenic and anti-resorptive effect of Pri on bone marrow-derived osteoclasts and its underlying mechanism in vitro. In addition, the protective effect of Pri on ovariectomy model was also explored in vivo. Results: In vitro, Pri inhibited osteoclast differentiation and mature osteoclastic bone resorption in a time-and dose-dependent manner. Further, Pri suppressed the expression of osteoclast-related genes and the activation of key proteins. Pri also inhibited the early activation of ERK, JNK MAPK, and AKT signaling pathways in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs), ultimately inhibiting the induction and activation of the crucial osteoclast transcriptional factor nuclear factor of activated T-cell cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1). In vivo, consistent with our in vitro data, Pri clearly prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss. Conclusion: Our data showed that Pri inhibits the differentiation and activation of osteoclasts in vitro and in vivo, and could be a promising candidate for treating osteoporosis.

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With the challenges posed by the intermittent nature of renewable energy, energy storage technology is the key to effectively utilize renewable energy. China’s energy storage industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years. In order to reveal how China develops the energy storage industry, this study explores the promotion of energy storage from the perspective of policy support and public acceptance. Accordingly, by tracing the evolution of the energy storage policies during 2010–2020 comprehensively, a better understanding of the policy intention and implementation can be obtained. Meanwhile, this paper collects the information of Weibo users and posts related to energy storage by web crawler technology. The status of public attention and sentiment orientation toward energy storage are investigated with a text mining method. The main results are as follows. 1) The evolution of energy storage is characterized by three stages: the foundation stage, the nurturing stage, and the commercialization stage. 2) Most people have a positive attitude towards energy storage and recognize the potential of the energy storage industry, and it is discovered that the public attitudes towards energy storage exist cognitive bias. 3) More policies concerning market mechanism, R&D, and subsidies should be introduced to enhance the effect of energy storage policies and increase public recognition. These findings help to understand the energy storage policy and provide better strategies for policymaking.