[Naringenin promotes osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling axis]

To explore the influence of naringenin on osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs), and the role of SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling axis in the osteogenic differentiation by naringenin.

BMSCs of the rats were isolated,cultured and tested. CCK-8 assay was used to explore the proliferation ability of BMSCs in different concentrations of naringenin, and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity was detected. RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of ALP, OCN, CXCR4 and SDF-1α in different groups. The expressions of CXCR4 and SDF-1α protein in BMSCs during osteogenic differentiation in different experimental groups were detected by ELISA. SPSS 21.0 software package was used for statistical analysis of the data.

The results of cell identification showed that the cultured cells were BMSCs. At 1 d and 3 d, all concentrations of naringenin had no significant effect on the proliferation of BMSCs; and at 5 d, 50 μg/mL of naringenin promoted proliferation of BMSCs；furthermore, at 7 d, all concentrations of naringenin promoted proliferation of BMSCs(P＜0.05). ALP activity value gradually increased in each concentration over time. From the RT-qPCR experiment, the mRNA expression of ALP, OCN, CXCR4 and SDF-1α in the naringenin group and the osteogenic induction group was significantly increased compared with the medium group(P＜0.05). ELISA assay showed that the protein expressions of CXCR4 and SDF-1α increased gradually in the four groups as time went on and the expression of two proteins was the highest in 100 μg/mL naringenin group.

Naringenin can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling axis is involved in the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by naringenin,particularly in the early stage of BMSCs osteogenic differentiation.