Cyathulae Radix,a traditional Chinese medicine and a common vegetable,boasts a history spanning millennia.It enhances bone density,boosts metabolism,and effectively alleviates osteoporosis-induced pain.Despite its his...Cyathulae Radix,a traditional Chinese medicine and a common vegetable,boasts a history spanning millennia.It enhances bone density,boosts metabolism,and effectively alleviates osteoporosis-induced pain.Despite its historical use,the molecular mechanisms behind Cyathulae Radix’s impact on osteoporosis remain unexplored.In this study,we investigated the effects and mechanisms of Cyathulae Radix ethanol extract(CEE)in inhibiting osteoporosis and osteoclastogenesis.Eight-week-old female mice underwent ovariectomy and were treated with CEE for eight weeks.Micro-computed tomography(micro-CT)assessed histomorphometric parameters,bone tissue staining observed distal femur histomorphology,and three-point bending tests evaluated tibia mechanical properties.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)measured serum estradiol(E2),receptor activator for nuclear factor B ligand(RANKL),and osteoprotegerin(OPG)levels.Osteoclastogenesis-related markers were analyzed via Western blotting(WB)and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).Additionally,CEE effects on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption were investigated in vitro using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)staining,qRT-PCR,and WB assay.Compared with the ovariectomy(OVX)group,CEE treatment enhanced trabecular bone density,maximal load-bearing capacity,and various histomorphometric parameters.Serum E2 and OPG levels significantly increased,while Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB(RANK)decreased in the CEE group.CEE downregulated matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP-9),Cathepsin K(CTSK),and TRAP gene and protein expression.In bone marrow macrophages(BMMs),CEE reduced mature osteoclasts,bone resorption pit areas,and MMP-9,CTSK,and TRAP expression during osteoclast differentiation.Compared with DMSO treatment,CEE markedly inhibited RANK,TNF receptor associated factor 6(TRAF6),Proto-oncogene c-Fos(c-Fos),Nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1(NFATc1)expressions,and Extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK),c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK),NF-kappa B-p65(p65)phosphorylation in osteoclasts.In conclusion,CEE significantly inhibits OVX-induced osteoporosis and RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis,potentially through modulating the Estrogen Receptor(ER)/RANK/NFATc1 signaling pathway.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.81273816,81774379,and 81370974)the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province,China(Nos.2017JJ2338 and 2020JJ4860)+1 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Central South University(No.502211706)the Fund for the Key Laboratory of Hunan Province,China(No.2017TP1004).
文摘Cyathulae Radix,a traditional Chinese medicine and a common vegetable,boasts a history spanning millennia.It enhances bone density,boosts metabolism,and effectively alleviates osteoporosis-induced pain.Despite its historical use,the molecular mechanisms behind Cyathulae Radix’s impact on osteoporosis remain unexplored.In this study,we investigated the effects and mechanisms of Cyathulae Radix ethanol extract(CEE)in inhibiting osteoporosis and osteoclastogenesis.Eight-week-old female mice underwent ovariectomy and were treated with CEE for eight weeks.Micro-computed tomography(micro-CT)assessed histomorphometric parameters,bone tissue staining observed distal femur histomorphology,and three-point bending tests evaluated tibia mechanical properties.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)measured serum estradiol(E2),receptor activator for nuclear factor B ligand(RANKL),and osteoprotegerin(OPG)levels.Osteoclastogenesis-related markers were analyzed via Western blotting(WB)and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).Additionally,CEE effects on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption were investigated in vitro using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)staining,qRT-PCR,and WB assay.Compared with the ovariectomy(OVX)group,CEE treatment enhanced trabecular bone density,maximal load-bearing capacity,and various histomorphometric parameters.Serum E2 and OPG levels significantly increased,while Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB(RANK)decreased in the CEE group.CEE downregulated matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP-9),Cathepsin K(CTSK),and TRAP gene and protein expression.In bone marrow macrophages(BMMs),CEE reduced mature osteoclasts,bone resorption pit areas,and MMP-9,CTSK,and TRAP expression during osteoclast differentiation.Compared with DMSO treatment,CEE markedly inhibited RANK,TNF receptor associated factor 6(TRAF6),Proto-oncogene c-Fos(c-Fos),Nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1(NFATc1)expressions,and Extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK),c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK),NF-kappa B-p65(p65)phosphorylation in osteoclasts.In conclusion,CEE significantly inhibits OVX-induced osteoporosis and RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis,potentially through modulating the Estrogen Receptor(ER)/RANK/NFATc1 signaling pathway.