Auraptene ameliorates osteoporosis by inhibiting RANKL/NFATc1 pathway-mediated bone resorption based on network pharmacology and experimental evaluation

Bone & Joint Research

article

Mi H. Kim¹  La Y. Choi¹  Jae Y. Chung¹  Eun-Jung Kim²  Woong M. Yang¹ 

[1] Department of Convergence Korean Medical Science, Graduate School, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University;Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Dongguk University Bundang Oriental Hospital

关键词: Auraptene;    Osteoporosis;    Bone mineral density;    Osteoclast;    RANKL/NFATc1;    osteoporotic bone;    bone resorption;    osteoclasts;    femora;    bone mineral density (BMD);    Serum;    calcium;    bone loss;    tibia;    RNA;   

DOI  :  10.1302/2046-3758.115.BJR-2021-0380.R1

学科分类：骨科学

来源: British Editorial Society Of Bone And Joint Surgery

【 摘 要 】

AimsThe association of auraptene (AUR), a 7-geranyloxycoumarin, on osteoporosis and its potential pathway was predicted by network pharmacology and confirmed in experimental osteoporotic mice.MethodsThe network of AUR was constructed and a potential pathway predicted by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) terms enrichment. Female ovariectomized (OVX) Institute of Cancer Research mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mM AUR for four weeks. The bone mineral density (BMD) level was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The bone microstructure was determined by histomorphological changes in the femora. In addition, biochemical analysis of the serum and assessment of the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of osteoclastic markers were performed.ResultsIn total, 65.93% of the genes of the AUR network matched with osteoporosis-related genes. Osteoclast differentiation was predicted to be a potential pathway of AUR in osteoporosis. Based on the network pharmacology, the BMD and bone mineral content levels were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the whole body, femur, tibia, and lumbar spine by AUR. AUR normalized the bone microstructure and the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP), osteocalcin, and calcium in comparison with the OVX group. In addition, AUR treatment reduced TRAP-positive osteoclasts and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)+nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1)+ expression in the femoral body. Moreover, the expressions of initiators for osteoclastic resorption and bone matrix degradation were significantly (p < 0.05) regulated by AUR in the lumbar spine of the osteoporotic mice.ConclusionAUR ameliorated bone loss by downregulating the RANKL/NFATc1 pathway, resulting in improvement of osteoporosis. In conclusion, AUR might be an ameliorative cure that alleviates bone loss in osteoporosis via inhibition of osteoclastic activity.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC