Isobavachalcone inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis via miR-193-3p/NF-κB/NFATc1 signaling pathway in BMMs cells

Inhibition of extensive osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption is considered a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of osteoporosis. Isobavachalcone (IBC) is derived from the traditional Chinese herb Psoralea corylifolia Linn. We showed that IBC dose-dependently suppressed receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow monocyte/macrophage (BMMs) and osteoclastic bone-resorption function without cytotoxicity at a dose of no more than 8 & mu;min vitro. Mechanistically, the results of western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) indicated that IBC inhibited the RANKL-induced degradation of I & kappa;B & alpha; and phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-& kappa;B) in BMMs, and subsequently downregulated the expression of osteoclastic-specific genes and osteoclastogenesis-related proteins. TRAP staining and qRT-PCR showed that IBC can inhibit osteoclast differentiation by down-regulating the expression of miR-193-3p on osteoclast differentiation. Overall, our findings suggest that IBC may serve as a promising compound for the treatment of osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases.

Automated summary

In this study, it was discovered that isobavachalcone, derived from the traditional Chinese herb Psoralea corylifolia Linn, can inhibit osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. The mechanism involves the suppression of NF-κB activation and downregulation of osteoclastic-specific genes and proteins. This suggests that isobavachalcone may have potential as a therapeutic compound for the treatment of osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases.