Icariin promotes differentiation of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts through Hedgehog signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Aim To investigate the effect of icariin (ICA) on the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cell line. Methods CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation activity of MC3T3-E1 cells. Alizarin red staining (AR-S) assay was used to detect osteoblast differentiation and the formation of calcium nodules. Western blot assay was used to examine the protein expression of osteocalcin, ALP and shh. ALP assay was used to detect its activity. Results The effect of CCK-8 assay showed that ICA (5 ∼ 40 μmol · L-1) significantly promoted MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation compared with control group. The activity and protein expression of ALP and the quantitative analysis of mineralization deposition significantly increased in ICA group compared with control group. The ALP activity, protein expression level of shh and the quantification of alizarin red staining showed a significant decrease in ICA + CYC group compared with ICA group. Conclusions ICA promotes osteoblast proliferation and differentiation through the Hedgehog signaling pathway.