Atractylodes japonica Root Extract Protects Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 Cells against Hydrogen Peroxide-induced Inhibition of Osteoblastic Differentiation

The rhizome of Atractylodes japonica Koidz. has been used traditionally for the treatment of water retention in the body and is known to have estrogen-like activity. In the present study, the protective effects of A. japonica root extract on the response of osteoblasts to oxidative stress were evaluated. Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were incubated with hydrogen peroxide and/or A. japonica root extract, and markers of osteoblast function and oxidative damage were examined. A. japonica root extract significantly (p < 0.05) increased cell survival, alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen and calcium deposition and decreased the production of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB figand (RANKL), protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. These results demonstrate that A. japonica root can protect the cells from oxidative stress-induced toxicity and may have positive effects on skeletal structure. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.