Title:Barbaloin Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow
Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Involvement of Wnt/β-catenin Signaling
Pathway
Volume: 29
Issue: 39
Author(s): Nan Wang*, Guoli Gan, Jihao Yang and Luyao Wang
Affiliation:
- Department of Emergency Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University; Henan Medical
Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma Research; No. 1 Jianshe East Road, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan,
China
Keywords:
Barbaloin, osteogenic differentiation, human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, Wnt, β-catenin, mineralization.
Abstract:
Background: Barbaloin, found in Aloe vera, exerts broad pharmacological activities,
including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer. This study aims to investigate
the effects of barbaloin on the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow
mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs).
Methods: Osteogenic induction of hBMSCs was performed in the presence or absence of
barbaloin. Cell viability was determined by using the CCK-8 assay. The characteristic of
hBMSCs was identified by using flow cytometry. Intracellular alkaline phosphatase
(ALP) staining was performed to evaluate the ALP activity in hBMSCs. Alizarin Red S
staining was performed to evaluate the matrix mineralization. The mRNA and protein levels
of target genes were determined using qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively.
Results: Treatment with barbaloin (10 and 20 μg/mL) significantly increased cell viability
of hBMSCs after 72 hours. In addition, treatment with barbaloin increased the mRNA
expression levels of ALP and its activities. Treatment with barbaloin also increased matrix
mineralization and the mRNA and protein levels of late-differentiated osteoblast
marker genes BMP2, RUNX2, and SP7 in hBMSCs. The underlying mechanisms revealed
that barbaloin increased the protein expressions of Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related
biomarkers.
Conclusion: Barbaloin promotes osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs by the regulation
of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.