Osteogenic Effect of Zingerone on Human Umbilical Cord Stem Cells via miR-590 and Smad7 Expressions

Abstract

Background and Objective: The Osteoblast differentiation is an essential process that causes bone stability and homeostasis. Zingerone (ZG) 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone isolated from the ginger plant is involved in many biological processes and can be used to treat diseases as an anti-inflammatory and antidiabetics. This study aimed to identify that ZG potential to bone tissue regeneration by investigating the effect of Zingerone on human umbilical cord stem cells (hUC-MSCs) and their differentiation into osteoblasts. Methods: The effect of Zingerone toxicity on 2×106 hUC-MSCs cells was investigated in 4 groups. 1 control group without any ZG and 3 threated group with 50µM, 100µM and 200µM ZG. Cell viability evaluated by the MTT method after 24, 48 and 72 hours. The gene expression of miR-590 and Smad7 and differentiation markers such as Osterix (OSX) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) were investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression level of this enzyme was checked by an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) reaction. Findings: Zingerone significantly has proliferative effects on hUC-MSCs cells in 200µM (p<0.05). Zingerone positively affects the differentiation process of osteoblasts by influencing the expression of specific markers such as ALP (p<0.05 in 200µM), RUNX2 (p<0.001 in 200µM), and OSX (p<0.001). The expression of miR-590 is increased in 200µM (p<0.05), while that of Smad7 is decreased under the influence of different Zingerone concentrations (p<0.001). Conclusion: Results of this study revealed that ZG enhances the expression of osteoblast-specific markers (RUNX2, OSX and ALP) by increasing the amount of miR-590 in 200µM. miR-590 suppresses Smad7 and helps the differentiation of osteoblasts. The osteogenic ZG has the potential to treat bone diseases.