• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.607-613
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• 2010

Osteoporosis is a disease involving a decrease in bone mineral density and an increased risk of fractures. The MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cell line is a well-accepted model of osteogenesis in vitro. Pine needles have long been used as a traditional health-promoting medicinal food in Korea. In this study, MTT assay, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and collagen synthesis of osteoblast cells were investigated to determine the effects of pine needle extracts on cell proliferation and differentiation. Pine needle extracts were prepared using hexane, ethanol and water. The effects of the pine needle extracts were examined by comparing the results with those of commercial agents, such as proanthocyanidin. The MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to proanthocyanidin showed increased proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. The cells exposed to the hexane extract showed a similar increase in proliferation to that observed with proanthocyanidin. The hexane extract showed the highest ALP activity. Moreover, a supplement of pine needle extracts induced collagen synthesis in MC3T3-E1 cells. The pine needle extract produced the highest level of collagen synthesis at concentrations of $10{\sim}50\;{\mu}g/ml$. These results indicate that pine needle extracts have an anabolic effect on bone by promoting osteoblastic differentiation, and may be used in the treatment of common metabolic bone diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.701-712
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• 2024

Fucoidan is a polysaccharide found in brown algae, which is known for its various bioactive effects, including immune enhancement, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the effects of fucoidan on cellular and mitochondrial damage, as well as changes in osteogenic and osteoclastic activities induced by advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells, were investigated. Treatment with AGEs resulted in a time- and dose-dependent decrease in MTT reduction capacity, activation of caspases (-3, -8, and -9), and an increase in apoptosis. Pre-treatment with fucoidan significantly alleviated these cellular damage markers caused by AGEs. In addition, fucoidan protected against AGEs-induced mitochondrial dysfunction by significantly mitigating the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, reduction in intracellular ATP levels, and occurrence of mitochondrial permeability transition in AGEs-treated cells. Fucoidan also markedly suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species and, lipid and protein peroxidation induced by AGEs. In cells exposed to AGEs, gene expression related to osteogenic differentiation and markers of osteogenic activity increased, while markers of osteoclastic activity decreased. Fucoidan significantly moderated these changes. In conclusion, AGEs induce mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells, while decreasing osteogenic differentiation and activity, and increasing osteoclastic activity. Fucoidan appears to reduce cellular and mitochondrial damage and improve osteogenic activity impaired by AGEs.