Cyaonoside a Promotes Osteogenesis and Fracture Healing by Activating PI3K-AKT Signalling Pathway

Abstract

Background: Cyaonoside A (CyA) is an active component in the traditional Chinese medicine Achyranthes bidentata. CyA promotes chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, the effect of CyA on osteogenesis and fracture healing, as well as the underlying mechanism has not been investigated.

Materials and methods: MSCs were isolated from bone marrow of C57 mice. The expression of genes or proteins were detected by real-time PCR or western blot. Open femoral fracture model of mice was used to evaluate the effect of CyA on fracture healing.

Results: In the present study, we found that CyA promoted osteogenesis of MSCs. Then we demonstrated that CyA promoted the phosphorylation of Akt and activated the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in vitro. Finally, using the mice open femur fracture healing model, we showed that CyA promoted fracture healing in mice. The immunohistochemical result showed that CyA increased the levels of p-Akt, osterix (OSX) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in the fracture callus.

Conclusion: Taken together, our findings suggested CyA promoted osteogenesis and fracture healing by activating the Akt signaling.