[Frontiers in Bioscience E4, 1224-1236, January 1, 2012]

Different molecular targets of Icariin on bMSCs in CORT and OVX -rats

Qin Bian1,2,3, Jian-hua Huang2, Shu-fen Liu1,3, You Ning2, Zhu Yang1,3, Yong-jian Zhao1,3, Zi-yin Shen2, Yong-jun Wang1

1Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 725 South Wan-ping Road, Shanghai, China, 200032, 2Institute of integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Middle Wu lu mu qi Road, Shanghai, China, 200040, 3Institute of Spine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 725 South Wan-ping Road, Shanghai, China, 200032

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Materials and methods
3.1. Preparation for drugs
3.2. Animals grouping and treatments
3.3. Micro-CT Analysis
3.4. BMSCs culture and treatment
3.5. ALP staining
3.6. immunohistological staining
3.7. Oligo GEArray experiments
3.8. Real time RT-PCR detection
3.9. Statistical analysis
4. Results
4.1. The micro-CT 3D morphometry for bone mass
4.2. The induction of differentiation by ICA on BMSCs
4.3. Gene profile clustering revealed the differential effects of ICA on CORT or OVX -induced osteoporosis
4.4. The common and differential gene expression patterns caused by ICA in CORT or OVX -induced osteoporosis
5. Discussion
6. Ackonwledgments
7. References

1. ABSTRACT

Icariin (ICA) is an active component of Herba Epimedium effective in preventing osteoporosis. Bone mesenchymal stem cells (bMSCs) are an important target by which ICA promotes osteogenesis. However, its molecular mechanisms are poorly defined. In the present study, we induced osteoporosis in rats by corticosterone (CORT) and ovariectomy (OVX), treated both with ICA for 2 weeks or 3 months. As results, both models displayed bone loss tendency within 2 weeks and a significant bone loss after 3 months. ICA promoted bMSCs diffenentiation from CORT rat, and increased the secretion of osteocalcin, collagen I, runt-related transcription factor 2 in OVX model. Gene profile revealed a marked shift of gene expression by ICA, with much more significance in CORT rats. These potential molecular targets were involved in cell communication, adhesion, cycle and cytokines secretion. But very few genes overlapped in these two models, suggesting the effects and molecular mechanisms of ICA on osteoporosis might be pathogenesis-dependent. However, the Notch signaling pathway was common in both models, and should be paid close attention to for further study.