Morinda officinalis polysaccharide promotes the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells via microRNA-210-3p/scavenger receptor class A member 3

Morinda officinalis polysaccharide (MOP) is the bioactive ingredient extracted from the root of Morinda officinalis, and Morinda officinalis is applied to treat osteoporosis (OP). The purpose of this study was to determine the role of MOP on human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) and the underlying mechanism. HBMSCs were isolated from bone marrow samples of patients with OP and treated with MOP. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was adopted to quantify the expression of microRNA-210-3p (miR-210-3p) and scavenger receptor class A member 3 (SCARA3) mRNA. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was employed to detect cell viability; Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Mediated Nick End Labeling assay and flow cytometry were adopted to detect apoptosis; Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity assay kit was applied to detect ALP activity; Western blot was executed to quantify the expression levels of SCARA3, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation markers. Ovariectomized rats were treated with MOP. Bone mineral density (BMD), serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b), and N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) levels were assessed by BMD detector and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. It was revealed that MOP could promote hBMSCs' viability and osteogenic differentiation and inhibit apoptosis and adipogenic differentiation. MOP could also upregulate SCARA3 expression through repressing miR-210-3p expression. Treatment with MOP increased the BMD and decreased the TRACP 5b and NTx levels in ovariectomized rats. MOP may boost the osteogenic differentiation and inhibit adipogenic differentiation of hBMSCs by miR-210-3p/SCARA3 axis.

Morinda officinalis polysaccharide attenuates osteoporosis in rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy by suppressing the PGC-1α/PPARγ pathway

OBJECTIVE

Osteoporosis (OP) is a widespread disease that causes risks of spine and hip fractures. Morinda officinalis polysaccharide (MOP) shows therapeutic potential in OP. This article intended to understand the mechanism by which MOP impacts bone mineral density (BMD) and serum trace elements in OP rats.

METHODS

OP rat models were established by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). Rats were intragastrically administered with MOP or ZLN005 [the activator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)] since the first day after operation for 8 weeks. Microstructural changes in OP rats were analyzed using micro-computed tomography system. Contents of serum Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mg in rats were measured. Levels of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), GSH, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in rats were determined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Protein levels of PGC-1α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in cartilage tissues of rats were determined via Western blotting.

RESULTS

MOP enhanced BMD, bone volume per trabecular volume (BV/TV), Tb.N, and Tb.Th and reduced Tb.Sp in the distal femur of OVX rats, elevated levels of serum Cu, Fe, and Mg and contents of SOD, GSH, and GSH-PX and decreased MDA content. Moreover, MOP suppressed the PGC-1α/PPARγ pathway. Activation of PGC-1α partially abolished the action of MOP on ameliorating OP in OVX rats and strengthening anti-oxidation ability.

CONCLUSION

MOP mitigated OP in OVX rats by inhibiting the PGC-1α/PPARγ pathway.

Morinda officinalis polysaccharide regulates rat bone mesenchymal stem cell osteogenic-adipogenic differentiation in osteoporosis by upregulating miR-21 and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway

Osteoporosis (OP) is a prevailing bone metabolic disease. Morinda officinalis polysaccharide (MOP) has biological activities and medicinal potential. This study explored its mechanism in OP. Rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) were pretreated with low/high concentrations of MOP and subjected to osteogenic differentiation (OD) or adipogenic differentiation (AD) induction. The protein markers of OD (RUNX2 and BMP2) and AD (CEBPα and PPARγ) and miR-21 expression were detected. miR-21 was overexpressed to study its effects on rBMSC OD and AD. rBMSCs were transfected with miR-21 inhibitor and treated with high concentration of MOP for verification. The targeted relationship between miR-21 and PTEN was verified by bioinformatics and dual-luciferase assay. The PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway-related proteins were detected. Ovariectomy (OVX)-induced OP rats were treated with MOP. Rat bone mineral density (BMD), serum bone metabolism indexes bone-derived alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and osteocalcin (BGP) levels were assessed by BMD detectors and ELISA kits. miR-21 expression in rBMSCs was detected. After treatment with low/high concentrations of MOP, the OD of rBMSCs was increased and AD was inhibited and miR-21 was upregulated. miR-21 overexpression enhanced the OD of rBMSCs and inhibited AD. miR-21 knockdown reversed the effect of high concentration of MOP on rBMSCs. miR-21 targeted PTEN. After treatment with low/high concentrations of MOP, PI3K, and AKT phosphorylation were increased and the PI3K/AKT pathway was activated. BMD, BALP, BGP, and miR-21 levels in OVX rats were decreased. MOP partially alleviated OP in OVX rats. Briefly, MOP enhanced rBMSC OD and inhibited AD via the miR-21/PTEN/PI3K/AKT axis.

lncRNA and mRNA sequencing of the left testis in experimental varicocele rats treated with Morinda officinalis polysaccharide

Varicocele is a common disease of the male reproductive system. Morinda (M.) officinalis is a Chinese herbal medicine, whose main bioactive component M. officinalis polysaccharide (MOP) is believed to have a therapeutic effect on varicocele; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this effect are poorly understood. In the present study, 24 rats were randomly divided into three groups: i) Control group; ii) experimental varicocele group; and iii) 300 mg/kg MOP administration group. Analysis of mRNA and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression in rat left testicular tissue was performed. The results suggested that a total of 144 mRNAs and 63 lncRNAs, 63 mRNAs and 148 lncRNAs, and 173 mRNAs and 54 lncRNAs were differentially expressed between the varicocele non-treatment and control groups, the varicocele treatment and varicocele non-treatment groups, and the varicocele treatment and control groups, respectively. Following validation by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, the Yip1 domain family member 7 (YIPF7) gene was identified as a key mediator of varicocele pathogenesis and repair effect of MOP. Additionally, genes such as purinergic receptor P2X 4 (P2RX4), transmembrane protein 225B (TMEM255B) and Wnt family member 9B (WNT9B) were confirmed to be differentially expressed between the varicocele non-treatment and control groups. We hypothesize that TMEM255B could be a potential novel diagnostic biomarker for varicocele; WNT9B and P2RX4 likely play notable roles in the pathophysiology of the disease through the Wnt signaling pathway and regulation of transmembrane ion channels, respectively. In summary, the present study delineated the molecular mechanisms underlying varicocele pathogenesis and the therapeutic effect of MOP, identified a potential novel diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for varicocele, and provided feasible directions for further studies in the future.