Effects of lotus root extract on osteoblast and osteoclast

Abstract

Lotus root is a commonly used folk herb for the treatment of hypertension and stomach diseases. In the present study we investigated the effect of its extract on osteoblast and osteoclast in vitro using human osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells and primary mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages, respectively. Lotus root extract (LRE) stimulated proliferation of Saos-2 cells and increased their alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in dose- and time-dependent manner. In primary mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages, LRE significantly reduced the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells and decreased their TRAP activity. In addition, LRE inhibited bone resorption of differentiated osteoclast cells. These results suggest that LRE has the potential to prevent bone metabolic disorders such as osteoporosis. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.