Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (6): 1348-1358.doi: 10.12307/2026.552

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Effects and mechanisms of isoginkgetin on osteoclastogenesis

Wen Guangwei1, 2, 3, Zhen Yinghao2, 4, Zheng Taikeng2, 4, Zhou Shuyi2, Mo Guoye2, Zhou Tengpeng2, 3, Li Haishan2, 4, Lai Yiyi2, 3   

  1. 1Guangzhou Panyu District Hualong Hospital, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China; 2Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China; 3Guangzhou Liwan District Orthopedic and Traumatology Hospital, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China; 4Lingnan Medical Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2024-11-14 Accepted:2025-01-25 Online:2026-02-28 Published:2025-07-12
  • Contact: Lai Yiyi, MS, Associate chief physician, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China; Guangzhou Liwan District Orthopedic and Traumatology Hospital, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China Co-corresponding author: Li Haishan, PhD, Physician, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China; Lingnan Medical Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China
  • About author:Wen Guangwei, Attending physician, Guangzhou Panyu District Hualong Hospital, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China; Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China; Guangzhou Liwan District Orthopedic and Traumatology Hospital, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Guangzhou Municipal Health and Wellness Science and Technology Project, No. 20241A010093 (to WGW); Liwan District Livelihood Science and Technology Project, No. 20230713 (to WGW); Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Traditional Chinese Medicine Scientific Research Project, No. 20241091 (to MGY); Guangzhou Municipal Health and Wellness Science and Technology Project, No. 20251A011106 (to ZTP)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: During bone remodeling, bone formation and bone resorption are spatially and temporally coordinated, involving intricate interactions between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Isoginkgetin, a flavonoid found in Ginkgo biloba, has a wide range of anticancer activity and anti-reactive oxygen species activity; however, the effect of isoginkgetin on osteoclast differentiation is unknown.
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect and mechanism of action of isoginkgetin on osteoclastogenesis.
METHODS: In vitro studies were performed on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages, and cell counting kit-8 cytotoxicity assay was used to detect the effect of isoginkgetin on cell viability of bone marrow-derived macrophages. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand were used to induce the differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages to osteoclasts. Network pharmacology and molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to predict the processes and targets of the effects of isoginkgetin on the differentiation of osteoclasts. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and F-actin staining were used to detect the effects of isoginkgetin on the differentiation and function of osteoclasts. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the effects of isoginkgetin on the expression of genes and proteins related to osteoclast differentiation, reactive oxygen species, and PI3K/AKT pathways. Fluorescent probes were used to detect cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels. Flow cytometry technology was used to detect reactive oxygen species levels in cells. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Network pharmacology results showed that isoginkgetin affected osteoporosis mainly through the PI3K-AKT pathway and cellular response to drugs and hypoxia, and GSK3β, ESR1, MCL1 and CCNA2 were the key targets. (2) Cell counting kit-8 and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining results showed that isoginkgetin at 8 μmol/L had the most significant inhibitory effect on osteoclastogenesis in vitro, and F-actin results showed that isoginkgetin inhibited osteoclast cytoskeletal actin ring formation in a concentration-dependent manner. (3) Molecular dynamics simulations showed that isoginkgetin bound well to osteoclastogenesis marker proteins (NFATc1, c-Fos, CTSK, and MMP9). Western blot and RT-PCR results indicated that isoginkgetin inhibited the expression of osteoclastogenesis marker proteins and genes (NFATc1, c-Fos, CTSK, and MMP9). (4) Western blot results showed that isoginkgetin inhibited the phosphorylation level of PI3K/AKT/GSK3β and suppressed osteoclastogenesis by activating the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β pathway. (5) The results of reactive oxygen species assay showed that isoginkgetin significantly reduced receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand-induced cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, and inhibited the differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages to osteoclasts.

Key words: isoginkgetin, osteoporosis, bone marrow-derived macrophages, osteoclast, reactive oxygen species, PI3K, AKT, engineered tissue construction 

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