Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand-induced osteoclastogenesis via the c-Fos/nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 signaling pathway and prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced bone loss in mice

Molecules. 2014 Aug 5;19(8):11628-44. doi: 10.3390/molecules190811628.

Abstract

Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum (APE) has been widely shown in herbal medicine to have a therapeutic effect on inflammatory conditions. However, there has been no evidence on whether the extract of APE is involved in the biological bone metabolism process, particularly osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. In this study, we confirmed that the administration of APE could restore normal skeletal conditions in a murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone loss via a decrease in the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio and osteoclast number. We then investigated the effect of APE on the RANKL-induced formation and function of osteoclasts to elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. APE suppressed the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells, as well as the bone-resorbing activity of mature osteoclasts. Furthermore, APE attenuated nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) and c-Fos without affecting any early signal pathway of osteoclastogenesis. Subsequently, APE significantly downregulated the expression of various genes exclusively expressed in osteoclasts. These results demonstrate that APE restores LPS-induced bone loss through a decrease of the serum RANKL/OPG ratio, and inhibits osteoclast differentiation and function, suggesting the promise of APE as a potential cure for various osteoclast-associated bone diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acid Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Aconitum / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Bone Resorption / drug therapy*
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism
  • Bone and Bones / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Osteoclasts / drug effects
  • Osteoclasts / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism
  • RANK Ligand / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase
  • X-Ray Microtomography

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
  • RANK Ligand
  • Acid Phosphatase
  • Acp5 protein, mouse
  • Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase