Ishige sinicola extract stimulates osteoblast proliferation and differentiation via the bone morphogenetic protein 2/runt-related gene 2 signalling…

A new interesting article has been published in Z Naturforsch C. 2019 May 14. pii: /j/znc.ahead-of-print/znc-2018-0044/znc-2018-0044.xml. doi: 10.1515/znc-2018-0044. and titled:

Ishige sinicola extract stimulates osteoblast proliferation and differentiation via the bone morphogenetic protein 2/runt-related gene 2 signalling…

Authors of this article are:

Kim M, Kang JH, Oh GH, Park MH.

A summary of the article is shown below:

Osteoporosis is one of the most common bone diseases, occurring due to an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ishige sinicola, a brown alga, on osteoblast differentiation through the activation of the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)/runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) signalling pathway in MC3T3-E1 cells. A cell proliferation assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, alizarin red staining, and expression analysis of osteoblastic genes were carried out to assess MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation. We found that I. sinicola extract (ISE) increased cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Ishige sinicola extract markedly promoted ALP activity and mineralization. Alizarin red S staining demonstrated that ISE treatment tended to increase extracellular matrix calcium accumulation. Moreover, ISE up-regulated the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand ratio. Ishige sinicola extract also increased the protein expression levels of type 1 collagen, ALP, osteocalcin, osterix, BMP-2, and Runx2. Therefore, ISE showed potential in stimulating osteoblastic bone formation, and it might be useful for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Check out the article’s website on Pubmed for more information:



This article is a good source of information and a good way to become familiar with topics such as: MC3T3-E1 cells; bone; brown algae; osteoporosis.

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