Ligustrum Japonicum fructus Induces Anti-adipogenetic and Pro-osteoblastogenic Activities in Human Bone Marrow-derived Mensencymal Stem Cells (P06-016-19)
Abstract Objectives Masenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have pluripotent differentiation properties that confirmed to differentiate into myocyte, adipocyte, osteoblast, neuron and chondrocyte when specific culture conditions and stimuli are applied. In bone, both adipocytes and osteoblasts are derived from bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs) and production of these cells has been reported as reciprocal processes. The bone mass disequilibrium causes osteoporosis, as a result of elevated adipogenic differentiation accompanied by reducing bone formation. Therefore, in this study the effect of Ligustrum japonicum fructus (Waxleaf privet) on the adipogenesis and osteoblast differentiation was investigated in BMSCs. Methods The fruits of L. japonicum were extracted with dichloromethane and methanol, and the combined extracts were concentrated. Differentiation of BMSCs was performed by changing the medium into adipocyte and osteoblast differentiation supplied by Promocell GmbH. The cellular lipid was stained with Oil Red O and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured using a colormetric assay kit (Biovision, Inc.). The relative protein levels were measured by immunoblotting assay. Results Presense of L. japonicum fructus extract (LJE) inhibited the cellular lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with the effects on lipid accumulation, the adipocyte specific genes including PPARγ, C/EBPα and SREBP1c was down regulated by treatment with LJE. Moreover, treatment with LJE enhanced osteoblast differentiation observed as increased ALP activity and upregulated the proteALP, BMP-2 and osteocalcine protein levels. Conclusions The results indicated that LJE may prevent bone loss by inhibiting adipogenesis while activating the osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs. Therefore, LJE possess the potential to be utilized as a source of nutraceutical agents against osteoporosis. Funding Sources This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIP).