J Med Food. 2014 Apr;17(4):414-23. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2013.2841. Epub 2014 Feb 19.

Actein isolated from black cohosh promotes the function of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.

Lee YS1, Choi EM.

• 1Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyung Hee University , Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

Actein, isolated from black cohosh, was subjected to in vitro experiments to investigate its functional bioactivities in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.

Actein caused a significant elevation of alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen synthesis, osteocalcin production, mineralization, and glutathione content in the cells, suggesting that actein has a stimulatory effect on osteoblastic bone formation or has potential activity against osteoporosis.

We investigated the protective effects of actein on mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor, antimycin A induced toxicity in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Exposure of MC3T3-E1 cells to antimycin A caused significant decrease in cell viability and mineralization. However, pretreatment with actein prior to antimycin A exposure significantly reduced antimycin A-induced cell damage by preventing mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation, complex IV inactivation, cardiolipin oxidation, ROS release, and nitrotyrosine increase, suggesting that actein may be useful for protecting mitochondria against a burst of oxidative stress.

In addition, actein increased the phosphorylation of CREB (cAMP-response element-binding protein) inhibited by antimycin A and decreased the production of TNF-α induced by antimycin A. These findings suggest that actein could prevent oxidative damage to osteoblasts in osteoporotic patients.

PMID:  24552231