Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: To study the influence of Cuscuta chinensis to the proliferation, differentiation and matrix mineralization of osteoblast
MC3T3-E1 cells, which is a valuable cell model in vitro to study drug effects on osteoblast, The proliferation promoting effect of
Cuscuta chinensis was determined by MTT assays. The differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells was assisted by Cuscuta chinensis in
ALP active and collagen quantitative test Calcium deposition test implied the matrix mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells. Western
Blot was used to investigate the expression of BMP-2 and Sirt3 protein. Different concentrations of Cuscuta chinensis (5-40 mg/L)
tested for 48 hours greatly promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Also, it increased the amount of collagen protein and
ALP activity. In addition, the matrix mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells was increased, shown its in a time- and concentrationdependent
manner. In addition, the expression of BMP-2, Sirt3 and IDH2 proteins also enhanced significantly. From above
results, Cuscuta chinensis increased IDH2 protein by increasing the amount of BMP-2 protein and the expression of Sirt3 protein,
thereby to promote the proliferation, differentiation and matrix mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells. The results demonstrated
that the future research of Cuscuta chinensis played a pivotal role to help reduce osteoporosis.

Key words: Cuscuta chinensis, osteoblast, proliferation, differentiation, matrix mineralization