5,7-Dihydroxy-4-Methylcoumarin enhances osteogenesis and ameliorates osteoporosis via the AKT1 pathway

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease distinguished by decreased bone density and degradation of bone microstructure, frequently linked with inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which contribute to the acceleration of bone resorption. The compound 5,7-Dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (D4M) present in Artemisia dracunculus exhibits significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Nonetheless, the potential anti-osteoporotic effects of D4M, along with the molecular targets and mechanisms responsible for these effects, have not been studied. This study aims to assess the impact of D4M on osteoblastogenesis and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis while examining the potential underlying mechanisms. We examined the effects of varying concentrations of D4M on the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Additionally, in vivo experiments were carried out using a glucocorticoid-induced zebrafish osteoporosis model to evaluate the effects of D4M on vertebral bone density and osteogenic markers. Target prediction and molecular docking analyses were conducted to investigate the binding interactions between D4M and its target proteins. D4M showed a significant enhancement of MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and differentiation within the concentration range of 10 to 40 μM, with the greatest increase in mineralization noted at 20 μM. Furthermore, in the zebrafish osteoporosis model, treatment with 20 μM D4M resulted in a significant improvement in vertebral bone density and the restoration of osteoblast-specific marker expression. Ligand-based target prediction identified AKT1 as a potential target for D4M, and molecular docking highlighted the binding interactions between D4M and AKT1 phosphorylation sites. Co-treatment with the AKT1 inhibitor A-443654 abolished the anti-osteoporotic effects of D4M. These findings demonstrate that D4M enhances osteoblast differentiation and mitigates osteoporosis through its interaction with AKT1, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for treating osteoporosis.