Poncirin promotes osteoblast differentiation but inhibits adipocyte differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells

Eur J Pharmacol. 2011 Aug 16;664(1-3):54-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.04.047. Epub 2011 May 1.

Abstract

Poncirin, flavanone glycoside, isolated from the fruit of Poncirus trifoliata, has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, the effects of poncirin on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells were investigated. The C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells and primary bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were studied. In the C3H10T1/2 cells, poncirin prevented adipocyte differentiation, as demonstrated by inhibition of cytoplasm lipid droplet accumulation and peroxisome proliferator-activating receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein-β (C/EBP-β) mRNA expression. By contrast, poncirin enhanced the expression of the key osteogenic transcription factors, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ). Poncirin also enhanced expression of the osteogenic marker genes including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC). Poncirin increased mineral nodule formation in primary bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. These results suggest that poncirin prevents adipogenesis and enhances osteoblast differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / cytology*
  • Adipocytes / drug effects*
  • Adipogenesis / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects*
  • Cell Line
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / genetics
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / metabolism
  • Femur / drug effects
  • Femur / metabolism
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Minerals / metabolism
  • Osteoblasts / cytology*
  • Osteoblasts / drug effects*
  • Tibia / drug effects
  • Tibia / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit
  • Flavonoids
  • Minerals
  • poncirin