Mechanisms of Zuogui Pill in Treating Osteoporosis: Perspective from Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

The current treatment strategies for osteoporosis (OP) involve promoting osteogenic differentiation and inhibiting adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). According to a theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the kidneys contain an “essence” that regulate bone metabolism and generate marrow. Kidney disorders are therefore considered to be a major cause of OP as per the principles of TCM, which recommends kidney-tonifying treatments for OP. The Zuogui pill (ZGP) is a classic kidney-tonifying medication that effectively improves OP symptoms. Studies have shown that ZGP can promote the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, providing scientific evidence for the TCM theory linking kidneys with bone metabolism. In this review, we have provided an overview of recent studies that examined the underlying mechanisms of ZGP mediated regulation of BMSC osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Polydatin improves osteogenic differentiation of human bone mesenchymal stem cells by stimulating TAZ expression via BMP2-Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

“…To date, the pathogenesis of OP is still unclear, but multiple important pathogenic factors, including age, sex, and steroid treatment, have been identified. Additionally, growing evidence indicates that defective osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) might lead to the occurrence of OP [4,5]. Thus, promoting the osteogenesis of BMSCs may be a promising strategy for the treatment of OP.…”

A polysaccharide from the dried rhizome of Drynaria fortunei (Kunze) J. Sm. prevents ovariectomized (OVX)‐induced osteoporosis in rats

“…According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys contain an ‘essence’ that regulate bone metabolism and generate marrow. Thus, kidney deficiency leading to bone loss is considered to be associated with the pathological process of postmenopausal osteoporosis . As such, nourishing the kidney become one of basic fundamental for treating osteoporosis and commonly the administration of this kind of herbal medicines cause patients satisfactory efficacy.…”

“…Thus, kidney deficiency leading to bone loss is considered to be associated with the pathological process of postmenopausal osteoporosis. 13,14 As such, nourishing the kidney become one of basic fundamental for treating osteoporosis and commonly the administration of this kind of herbal medicines cause patients satisfactory efficacy. Rhizoma Drynariae (RD), the dried rhizome of Drynaria fortunei (Kunze) J.…”

Inhibitory Effect of (2R)-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol 2-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside on RANKL-Induced Osteoclast Differentiation and ROS Generation in Macrophages

“…Osteoporosis is characterized by an increased risk of fracture due to microarchitectural damage resulting from a decrease in bone mass; the patient does not know, because it occurs silently and gradually, without symptoms or signs, until a fracture occurs [ 3 , 4 ]. It is a major public health problem throughout the world as the incidence of osteoporosis increases yearly with age [ 3 , 5 ]. Osteoporosis is mainly caused by excessive bone resorption due to excessive osteoclastogenesis.…”