Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (7): 1641-1648.doi: 10.12307/2026.581

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Osthole improves osteogenic differentiation function of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under high-glucose conditions

Li Zhenyu1, Zhang Siming2, Bai Jiaxiang2, Zhu Chen1, 2   

  1. 1Graduate School of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233030, Anhui Province, China; 2Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital (Anhui Provincial Hospital), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, Anhui Province, China
  • Received:2024-12-09 Revised:2025-05-03 Accepted:2025-05-29 Online:2026-03-08 Published:2025-08-18
  • Contact: Zhu Chen, MD, Chief physician, Graduate School of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233030, Anhui Province, China; Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital (Anhui Provincial Hospital), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, Anhui Province, China
  • About author:Li Zhenyu, Master candidate, Graduate School of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233030, Anhui Province, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82472463 (to ZC)

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: High-glucose conditions in diabetic patients impair the function of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, leading to complications such as impaired bone healing. Osthole, a natural coumarin compound, has potential effects on promoting osteogenic differentiation.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of osthole on the osteogenic differentiation function of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under high-glucose conditions. 
METHODS: CCK-8 assay was used to determine the optimal high-glucose concentration and exposure time for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, as well as the best osthole concentration and action time. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were divided into four groups: the blank group was cultured with basal medium only; the control group was cultured with osteogenic induction medium; the high glucose group was cultured with 25 mmol/L glucose on the basis of osteogenic induction medium; the osthole group was cultured with 80 μg/mL osthole on the basis of the high glucose group. Alkaline phosphatase activity detection and Alizarin Red staining were used to evaluate the osteogenic phenotype of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence techniques were employed to detect changes in osteogenic-related factor expression. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) CCK-8 assay confirmed using 25 mmol/L high-glucose medium for 3 days to construct an in vitro high-glucose environment model, with 80 μg/mL as the optimal osthole concentration and 3 days as the optimal action time. (2) Under high-glucose conditions, osthole significantly enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization nodule formation ability. (3) Compared with the high-glucose group, the osthole group showed significantly increased expression of Runx2, alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen, and osteocalcin genes (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001). (4) Compared with the high-glucose group, the osthole group showed significantly increased Runx2 and osteocalcin protein expression (P < 0.000 1). The results indicate that osthole can improve the osteogenic differentiation function of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in high-glucose environments.

Key words: bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell, osthole, high-glucose condition, osteogenic differentiation, diabetes, bone healing 

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