Aucubin suppresses Titanium particles-mediated apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells and facilitates osteogenesis by affecting the BMP2/Smads/RunX2 signaling pathway

Aucubin represents an iridoid glucoside separated from multiple Chinese herbs, which has been demonstrated to possess numerous pharmacological activities. In the present study, the aim was to investigate the roles and mechanisms of aucubin in the suppression of mouse MC3T3-E1 osteoblast apoptosis induced by Titanium particles and the promotion of bone formation. MTT assay and flow cytometry were performed to analyze cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. ELISA and para-nitrophenyl phosphate colorimetry were carried out to evaluate the oxidative stress markers and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays were used to evaluate the associated mRNA and protein expression. The results revealed that aucubin enhanced the cell activity of MC3T3-E1 cells treated with Ti particles. Aucubin suppressed the apoptosis of Ti particles-induced MC3T3-E1 cells and facilitated osteogenesis by affecting the B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein, ALP and associated osteogenic factors expression. Aucubin reduced the oxidative stress in Ti particles-induced MC3T3-E1 cells. In addition, aucubin upregulated the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)/Smads/runt related transcription factor 2 (RunX2) pathway in Ti particles-induced MC3T3-E1 cells. In conclusion, the present study confirmed that aucubin suppressed the Ti particles-mediated apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells and facilitated osteogenesis by affecting the BMP2/Smads/RunX2 signaling pathway.