Beneficial effects of fucoidan on osteoblastic MG-63 cell differentiation

Fucoidan extracted from the marine brown alga Undaria pinnatifida, significantly induced osteoblastic cell differentiation. Our results indicated that a non-toxic sulphated polysaccharide, fucoidan, can increase activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and level of osteocalcin (OC) as phenotypic markers for early-stage osteoblastic differentiation and terminally osteoblastic differentiation, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed positive effects of fucoidan on bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) as an important factor for bone formation, remodeling and mineralization. The present study may provide new insights in the osteoblastic differentiation of fucoidan and possibility for its application in bone health supplement. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.