p38 Signaling Mediates Naringin-Induced Osteogenic Differentiation of Porcine Metanephric Mesenchymal Cells

To explore the potential of metanephric mesenchymal cells (MMCs) for osteogenesis and naringin’s ability to enhance this process and its molecular mechanism.

Porcine MMCs at 70 days of gestation were used as tool cells, cultured in osteogenic induction medium, identified by immunocytochemistry staining. Osteogenic potential of porcine MMCs and naringin’s ability to enhance this process was tested by detecting changes in cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OCN), and the formation of mineralized nodules, and the application of the p38 signaling pathway inhibitor SB203580 vitiated the osteogenesis-promoting effect of naringin.

Immunocytochemical staining showed that the cells were Vimentin and Six2(+), E-cadherin and CK-18(−). Naringin can activate the p38 signaling pathway to enhance the osteogenesis of porcine MMCs by increasing cell viability, ALP activity, the expressions of Runx2, OPN and OCN, and the formation of mineralized nodules (P<0.05). The application of p38 signaling pathway inhibitor SB203580 vitiated the osteogenesis-promoting effect of naringin, manifested by decreased ALP activity, the expressions of Runx2, OPN and OCN, and the formation of mineralized nodules (P<0.05).

Naringin, the active ingredient of Chinese herbal medicine Rhizoma Drynariae for nourishing Shen (Kidney) and strengthening bone, enhances the osteogenic differentiation of renal MMCs through the p38 signaling pathway.