Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2025
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Bone Regeneration with Vascularized Artificial Cartilage Integration
Published on: July 14, 2023
Osmanthus Fragrans Loaded NIPAAM Hydrogel Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of MC3T3-E1
Bin Huang1, Mengyao Zhao1, Mingzhe Yang1
1Department of Stomatology, School of Stomatology and Ophthalmology, Xianing Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, China.
Abstract:
There is an urgent need to find long-acting, natural osteogenesis-promoting drug systems. In this study, first the potential targets and mechanism of osmanthus fragrans (O. fragrans) extract in regulating osteogenic differentiation based on autophagy were analyzed by network pharmacology and molecular docking. Then, osmanthus fragrans was extracted using the ethanol reflux method and an osmanthus fragrans extract loaded Poly N-isopropylacrylamide (OF/NIPAAM) hydrogel was prepared by electron beam radiation. The chemical components of the osmanthus fragrans extract and the microstructure of OF/NIPAAM hydrogels were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells MC3T3-E1 were cultured with different concentrations of OF/NIPAAM hydrogel to discover cell proliferation activity by CCK-8 assay. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining were used to observe the differentiation and calcification. Through experimental exploration, we found that a total of 11 targets were predicted, which are TP53, CASP3, SIRT1, etc., and osmanthus fragrans had good binding activity to TP53. In vitro, except for proliferation promotion, OF/NIPAAM hydrogel enhanced ALP activity and formation of mineralized nodules of MC3T3-E1 cells at a concentration equal to or less than 62.5 μg/mL (p < 0.05). The addition of autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) reduced ALP activity and mineralized nodule formation.
Insights
This study developed a natural osteogenesis-promoting hydrogel using Osmanthus fragrans extract. The novel hydrogel, OF/NIPAAM, enhances bone cell differentiation and mineralization, offering a promising natural therapeutic system.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Urgent need for long-acting, natural osteogenesis-promoting drug systems.
- Osmanthus fragrans (O. fragrans) shows potential in regulating osteogenic differentiation.
- Autophagy plays a role in osteogenic processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Analyze O. fragrans targets and mechanisms in osteogenic differentiation via autophagy using network pharmacology and molecular docking.
- Prepare and characterize an O. fragrans extract-loaded Poly N-isopropylacrylamide (OF/NIPAAM) hydrogel.
- Evaluate the in vitro efficacy of OF/NIPAAM hydrogel on osteoblast precursor cells.
Main Methods:
- Network pharmacology and molecular docking for target prediction.
- Ethanol reflux extraction and electron beam radiation for hydrogel preparation.
- UV-Vis, XRD, CCK-8 assay, ALP staining, and alizarin red staining for characterization and efficacy evaluation.
Main Results:
- Identified 11 key targets for O. fragrans, including TP53, with significant binding affinity.
- OF/NIPAAM hydrogel demonstrated good biocompatibility and enhanced MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation.
- OF/NIPAAM hydrogel significantly promoted ALP activity and mineralized nodule formation at concentrations ≤ 62.5 μg/mL.
- Autophagy inhibition (3-MA) reduced the osteogenic effects of the hydrogel.
Conclusions:
- OF/NIPAAM hydrogel is a promising natural system for promoting osteogenesis.
- The hydrogel's efficacy is linked to its ability to modulate autophagy.
- Further research into O. fragrans-based biomaterials for bone regeneration is warranted.
More Related Videos
10:28Biological Compatibility Profile on Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration
Published on: November 16, 2018
10:32Author Spotlight: Simple Establishment of a Vascularized Osteogenic Bone Marrow Niche Using Pre-Cast Poly(Ethylene Glycol) (PEG) Hydrogels in an Imaging Microplate
Published on: May 19, 2023