Garcinol prevents oxidative stress-induced bone loss and dysfunction of BMSCs through NRF2-antioxidant signaling

There are multiple published data showing that excessive oxidative stress contributes to bone loss and even bone tissue damage, and it is also correlated with the pathophysiology of bone degenerative diseases, including osteoporosis (OP). Garcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivative, has been recently established as an anti-oxidant agent. However, it remains elusive whether Garcinol protects bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and bone tissue from oxidative stress-induced damage. Here, we explored the potential effects of Garcinol supplementation in ameliorating oxidative stimulation-induced dysfunction of BMSCs and bone loss in osteoporotic mice. In this study, we verified that Garcinol exerted potent protective functions in the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced excessive oxidative stress and dysfunction of BMSCs. Besides, Garcinol was also identified to improve the reduced bone mass and abnormal lineage commitment of BMSCs in the condition of OP by suppressing the oxidative stimulation. Subsequent analysis revealed that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) might be a key regulator in the sheltering effects of Garcinol on the H₂O₂-regulated oxidative stress, and the protective functions of Garcinol was mediated by NRF2-antioxidant signaling. Collectively, Garcinol prevented oxidative stress-related BMSC damage and bone loss through the NRF2-antioxidant signaling, which suggested the promising therapeutic values of Garcinol in the treatment of oxidative stress-related bone loss. Therefore, Garcinol might contribute to treating OP.