Abstract

Context

Icariin has attracted increasing attention because of its wide variety of pharmacological effects.

Objective

This study investigates whether icariin could promote fracture healing in young and old rats and its mechanisms.

Materials and methods

A Wistar rat model for the tibia fracture in relatively young and old rats, respectively, was established. The rats were divided into four groups: model group, L-icariin (50 mg/kg icariin), M-icariin (100 mg/kg icariin) and H-icariin (200 mg/kg icariin), and intragastric administration of icariin was performed for 10 days or 20 days. In addition, isolated and cultured rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) from young and old rats were cultured with 5% and 20% of icariin-containing serum, respectively, then cell viability and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured.

Results

Icariin administration induced the expression of Runx2, Osterix, BMP-2, p-Smad5 and osteocalcin secretion (young rats: model: 2.50 ± 0.71; L-icariin: 10.10 ± 1.55; M-icariin: 24.95 ± 2.19; H-icariin: 36.80 ± 2.26; old rats: model: 1.55 ± 0.49; L-icariin:6.55 ± 0.50; M-icariin: 15.00 ± 0.85; H-icariin:20.50 ± 2.27) at the fracture site, and increased the levels of bone formation markers (OC, BAP, NTX-1 and CTX-1) in a dose-dependent manner. In vitro, icariin treatment promoted rBMSC viability, increased ALP activity and the expression of BMP-2/Smad5/Runx2 pathway proteins.

Discussion and conclusions

Icariin may accelerate fracture healing by activating the BMP-2/Smad5/Runx2 pathway in relatively young and old rats. The research on the mechanism of icariin to promote fracture healing can provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application and promotion of icariin.

中文翻译：

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淫羊藿苷对青老大鼠骨折愈合的影响及其机制

摘要

语境

淫羊藿苷因其广泛的药理作用而受到越来越多的关注。

客观的

本研究探讨淫羊藿苷是否能促进年轻和老年大鼠骨折愈合及其机制。

材料和方法

分别建立了相对年轻和老年大鼠胫骨骨折的Wistar大鼠模型。大鼠分为4组：模型组、L-淫羊藿苷（50 mg/kg淫羊藿苷）、M-淫羊藿苷（100 mg/kg淫羊藿苷）和H-淫羊藿苷（200 mg/kg淫羊藿苷），淫羊藿苷灌胃进行 10 天或 20 天。此外，分别用5%和20%的淫羊藿苷血清培养分离培养的年轻和老年大鼠的大鼠骨间充质干细胞（rBMSCs），然后测定细胞活力和碱性磷酸酶（ALP）活性。

结果

淫羊藿苷给药诱导 Runx2、Osterix、BMP-2、p-Smad5 和骨钙素分泌的表达（幼鼠：模型：2.50 ± 0.71；L-淫羊藿苷：10.10 ± 1.55；M-淫羊藿苷：24.95 ± 2.19；H-淫羊藿苷： 36.80 ± 2.26；老年大鼠：模型：1.55 ± 0.49；L-淫羊藿苷：6.55 ± 0.50；M-淫羊藿苷：15.00 ± 0.85；H-淫羊藿苷：20.50 ± 2.27) 在骨折部位，并增加骨形成标志物的水平（OC、BAP、NTX-1 和 CTX-1）以剂量依赖性方式。在体外，淫羊藿苷处理促进 rBMSC 活力、增加 ALP 活性和 BMP-2/Smad5/Runx2 通路蛋白的表达。

讨论和结论

淫羊藿苷可通过激活相对年轻和年老大鼠的 BMP-2/Smad5/Runx2 通路来加速骨折愈合。淫羊藿苷促进骨折愈合的机制研究可为淫羊藿苷的临床应用和推广提供理论依据。