A recent report has studied Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, the traditional Chinese herbal formula, to reveal its efficacy in stimulating osteogenic differentiation and preventing the aging of mesenchymal stem cells.
Around 9 million people suffer from osteoporotic fractures of the vertebra, forearm, and hip after the menopause. Studies show that there is a direct relationship between menopause and osteoporosis. Bone resorption overtakes the formation of new bone after menopause. Moreover, phases in which women have decreased hormone levels can cause loss of bone mass or bone mineral density that develops postmenopausal osteoporosis.
However, medical professionals dedicated a great deal of effort and time in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. To treat osteogenic differentiation, they used bisphosphonates, dietary supplements of vitamin D3 and calcium, anti-RANKL, anti-sclerostin antibodies, cathepsin K inhibitors, and low dose parathyroid hormone.
As an alternative treatment, many medical researchers have investigated herbal medicines to improve the symptoms of osteoporosis. A recent study conducted in Taiwan to evaluate single herb efficacy for osteoporosis among 16,544 osteoporotic patients and Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang was prescribed most frequently.
The patients with osteogenic differentiation were given osteogenesis-inducing medium (OIM) treatment for two weeks to discover its effects on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The results showed the formation of mineral nodules and a significant increase in osteogenic activity.
The effects of Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang on hMSCs were examined by measuring its effect on osteogenesis activity. The research reveals that when Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang was induced in the absence of OIM, there was a notable improvement in hMSC osteogenesis.
On the contrary, when Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang was administered in patients in the presence of OIM, no significant effect was observed; however, an increase in osteogenic activity was noticed.
The researchers also tested the four major components of Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, namely, L. Chuanxiong, G. Uralensis, T. Chinensis, and A. Biseratae, to investigate their effect on osteogenic differentiation. The results showed that L. Chuanxiong, when added in the absence of OIM, promoted the formation of mineral nodules.
When L. Chuanxiong was administered without DHJST, the trend of increased expression of the proteins RUNX2 and BMP2 through activation of SMAD 1/5/8 and ERK1/2 were observed. On analysis by PCR, the component was revealed to regulate the expression of both the proteins.
When DHJST and its active component L. chuanxiong were administered using dexamethasone-depleted osteogenesis inducing medium (DDOIM), the results showed that DDOIMcultured hMSCs with DHJST or L. chuanxiong revealed a promotion of mineral nodules formation.
Moreover, DHJST increased RUNX2 protein through activation of SMAD 1/5/8 and ERK1/2 signaling. Also, L. Chuanxiong increased BMP2 protein expression. The findings suggest that Du-Huo-Ji-Sheng-Tang plays a similar role as dexamethasone with OMI-induced osteogenesis.
Upon investigating the effects of DHJST and L. chuanxiong on the aging of hMSCs, the results showed that both the ingredients significantly increased the hMSCs CPD level. Also, DHJST and L. Chuanxiong play a significant role in decreasing the level of senescence of the hMSCs.
In conclusion, the results demonstrated that DHJST and its active component L. Chuanxiong could promote osteogenic activity and decrease the hMSCs senescence when cells age.
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