Monascin abrogates RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells via regulating MAPKs signaling pathways

Abstract

Osteoclasts (OCs) are multinucleated cells that play a major role in osteolytic diseases such as osteoporosis. Monascin (Ms) is one of the active substances in the traditional Chinese medicine red yeast rice. Studies have found that red yeast rice can maintain bone health. In this study, the anti-osteoclastogenesis effects of Ms on RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cells were assessed, and the underlying mechanism was investigated. Ms exhibited inhibitory effects on OC differentiation and formation in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed the bone-resorbing activity of mature OCs. Ms blocked OCs-typical genes (c-Fos, NFATc1, CSTK, MMP-9, TRAP, ITG-β3, OSCAR and DC-STAMP). Furthermore, Ms treatment considerably inhibited the activation of MAPKs, JNK and p38. Taken together, Ms suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 cells by restraining MAPKs signaling pathways and is a potential therapeutic option as a novel OC inhibitor to mitigate bone erosion.

Leaf Extract of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt Promotes Adipocyte Browning via the p38 MAPK Pathway and PI3K-AKT Pathway

“…PF extract comprises more than one component ingredient, indicating complicated pharmacological targets and mechanisms. So far, most existing studies on herb extracts have concentrated on single or limited ingredients and targets, lacking an integral exploration of the pharmacological mechanisms of the herb [ 12 , 13 ]. As a result, it poses a challenge to systemically investigate the reaction ingredients of the PF extract on vital molecules to promote browning.…”