LAUSR

BACKGROUND Barbaloin, found in Aloe vera, exerts broad pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer. This study aims to investigate the effects of barbaloin on the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). METHODS Osteogenic induction of hBMSCs was performed in the presence or absence of barbaloin. Then cell viability was determined by using CCK-8 assay. The characteristic of hBMSCs was identified by using Flow cytometry. Intracellular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining was performed to evaluate the ALP activity in hBMSCs. Alizarin Red S staining was performed to evaluate the matrix mineralization. The mRNA and protein levels of target genes were determined by using qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. RESULTS Treatment with barbaloin (10 and 20 μg/mL) significantly increased cell viability of hBMSCs after 72 hours. In addition, treatment with barbaloin increased the mRNA expression levels of ALP and its activities. Treatment with barbaloin also increased matrix mineralization and the mRNA and protein levels of late-differentiated osteoblast marker genes BMP2, RUNX2, and SP7 in hBMSCs. The underlying mechanisms revealed that barbaloin increased the protein expressions of Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related biomarkers. CONCLUSION Barbaloin promotes osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs by the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.