The bones of the human body support the structures of the body and provide protection for a person’s internal organs. Bone metabolic diseases are on the rise due to a significant increase in life expectancy over a short period of time. Therefore, we investigated the osteoblast differentiation promoting and osteoclastogenesis inhibitory activities of fermented Benincasa hispida cong. (HR1901-BS, HR1901-BSaf). We evaluated the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of MC3T3-E1 mouse calvarial-derived osteoblasts. We also evaluated expression of ALP, osteocalcin (OCN), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), which regulate osteoblast differentiation. To assess effects on osteoclast formation, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity in RAW264.7 cells was analyzed. ALP activity increased by 121-136% and 140-156%, respectively in the presence of HR1901-BS and HR1901- BSaf. Expression of osteoblast differentiation factor also increased significantly. We also confirmed that HR1901-BS and HR1901-BSaf decreased TRAP activity in osteoclasts by 35-47% and 23-39%, respectively. Our results showed that fermented Benincasa hispida cong. (HR1901-BS, HR1901-BSaf) increase bone mineralization and osteoblast differentiation activity in MC3T3-E1 cells, and inhibit bone resorption activity in RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, fermented Benincasa hispida cong. (HR1901-BS, HR1901-BSaf) can be used as an effective natural resource for preventing and treating bone-related diseases.

Nitric oxide(NO) is a labile, uncharged, reactive radical that functions as a sensitive mediator of intercellular communication in diverse tissues. It has been reported that NO is produced by osteoblast and these results may suggest that NO is integrally involved in the regulation of osteoclast formation and osteoclast resorption activity by osteoblastic cells. We examined the effect of cytokines on NO release by mouse bone marrow cell. We also examined the effects of cytokines and sodium nitroprusside(SNP) on the formation of osteoclast-like cell from mouse bone marrow cells in culture. Cytokines stimulated NO production of mouse bone marrow cells, and N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a specific inhibitor of NO synthase, suppressed the cytokine-induced NO production. SNP showed dual action in the generation of osteoclasts. The addition of (30μM)SNP inhibited the formation of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)(+) multinucleated cell, whereas lower concentration(30μM) of SNP enhanced it. Although the precise action of NO remains to be elucidated in detail, the action of NO in osteoclast generation in our studies seems to be associated, at least in part, with bone metabolism and bone pathophysiology.

Leptin, the product of the obese gene, is a circulating hormone secreted primarily from adipocytes. Several results suggest that leptin is important mediators of bone metabolism. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of leptin on anti-osteoclastogenesis using murine precursors cultured on Ca-P coated plates and on the production of osteoprotegerin (OPG) in osteoblastic cells. Additionally, this study examined the possible involvement of prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂)/вввB/protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated signals on the effect of leptin on anti-osteoclastogenesis to various culture systems of osteoclast precursors. Osteoclast generation was determined by counting tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase positive [TRAP (+)] multinucleated cells (MNCs). Osteoclastic activity was determined by measuring area of resorption pits formed by osteoclasts on Ca-P coated plate. The number of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol 1.25[OH]₂D₃- or PGE₂-induced TRAP (+) MNCs in the mouse bone marrow cell culture decreased significantly after treatment with leptin. The number of receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL)-induced TRAP (+) MNCs in M-CSF dependent bone marrow macrophage (MDBM) cell or RAW264.7 cell culture decreased significantly with leptin treatment. Indomethacin inhibited osteoclast generation induced by 1.25[OH]₂D₃ and dexamethasone, however, no significant differences were found in the leptin treated group when compared to the corresponding indomethacin group. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a PKC activator, inhibited osteoclast generation induced by 1.25[OH]₂D₃The number of TRAP (+) MNCs decreased significantly with treatment by PMA at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.1μM in culture. Leptin inhibited PMA-mediated osteoclast generation. Isoquinoline-5-sulfonic 2-methyl-1-piperazide dihydrochloride (H7) had no effect on osteoclast generation induced by 1.25[OH]₂D₃ Cell culture treatment with leptin resulted in no significant differences in osteoclast generation compared to the corresponding H7 group. Indomethacin showed no significant effect on TRAP (+) MNCs formation from the RAW264.7 cell line. PMA inhibited TRAP (+) MNCs formation induced by RANKL in the RAW264.7 cell culture. H7 had no effect on osteoclast generation from the RAW264.7 cell line. There was no difference compared with the corresponding control group after treatment with leptin. 1.25[OH]₂D₃- or PGE₂-induced osteoclastic activity decreased significantly with leptin treatment at a concentration of 100 ng/ml in mouse bone marrow cell culture. Indomethacin, PMA, and H7 significantly inhibited osteoclastic activity induced by 1.25[OH]₂D₃ in mouse bone marrow cell culture. No significant differences were found between the leptin treated group and the corresponding control group. The secretion of OPG, a substance known to inhibit osteoclast formation, was detected from the osteoblasts. Treatment by leptin resulted in significant increases in OPG secretion by osteoblastic cells. Taken these results, leptin may be an important regulatory cytokines within the bone marrow microenvironment.

Background : Osteoclasts as multinucleated cells originate from hematopoietic monocyte/ macrophage precursor cell, shows the bone absorption through the commitment, differentiation, fusion, and bone resorption stages by regulation of M-CSF and RANKL. It has been reported a significant negative correlation between the increase of oxidative stress and the bone density, and when RANKL reaction to the osteoclasts precursor cells is mainly generated ROS is due to increased activity of NADPH oxidase1 (NOX1), and these ROS act as a factor which promotes osteoclasts differentiation. Thus, RANKL signaling process is important that excessive osteoclast formation and differentiation inhibited through the regulation of each step. Methods and Results : F3570 ethanol extract showed relatively high activity at in-vitro antioxidant activity. F3570 water extract inhibited ROS generation in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with H2O2 and RANKL, even at low concentrations. The inhibitory effect of osteoclast differentiation on F3570 water extract was confirmed that shown through NF-κB pathway, MAPK pathway including ERK and JNK. F3570 ethanol extract is considered to be regulated by the p38 MAPK and the other signaling pathway. Also, F3570 both water and ethanol extract were significantly reduced gene expression such as TRAP, calcitonin receptors and integrin β3 of RANKL-induced mature osteoclast in the bone resorption stage. Conclusion : Through this study, F3570 extract revealed an outstanding inhibitory effect and signaling mechanisms in osteoclast differentiation induced by RANKL. These results suggest that F3570 is bone diseases associated with aging or osteoporosis caused by menopause in an aging society is expected to be a superior candidate for the treatment or the prevention