Icariin with different concentrations promotes osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Wu Xi; Peng Rui

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.0433

Abstract：BACKGROUND: Icariin has been shown to have osteoprotective effects, but its feasibility as a growth factor in bone tissue engineering has not yet been determined. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different doses of icariin on osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs), and to explore the possible mechanisms involved. METHODS: The primary hBMSCs model was established. MTT method was adopted to select the optimal concentration range of icariin for the treatment of hBMSCs without obvious cytotoxicity, and within this range, four concentration groups (10-9, 10-8, 10-7, 10-6mol/L) were graded to treat hBMSCs. Effects of icariin on the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs were confirmed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and mineralized nodule formation. Expression levels of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osterix (OSX), ALP, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and platelet-derived growth factor alpha polypeptide (PDGFA) during osteogenic differentiation were detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Treatment with icariin increased the activity of ALP and the number of calcified nodules in a concentration-dependent manner compared with the control group. (2) After treatment with 10-6mol/L icariin, mRNA expressions of Runx2, OSX, ALP, BMP-2 and PDGFA were higher reative to those in the control group. That is to say, icariin can effectively promote the osteogenic differentiation hBMSCs, probably by enhancing the expression of osteogenesis-related genes.