Sanguisorba officinalis L. extracts activate Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and subsequently control adipo-osteogenic differentiation

Wnt/beta-catenin pathway plays an important role in adipogenesis and osteogenesis. To search for novel activators of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, we screened plant extracts and found that Sangusorba officinalis L extracts (SOE) could increase beta-catenin expression level and nuclear accumulation in 3T3-L1 and MC3T3-E1 cells. It was confirmed that SOE could effectively control adipo-osteogenic differentiation. SOE inhibited adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, markedly decreased intracellular lipid accumulation, and decreased expression levels of key adipogenic transcription factors including PPAR gamma, C/E13P alpha, and SREBP-1c. SOE enhanced ALP activity and terminal osteoblast differentiation which was confirmed by Alizarin Red S staining of MC3T3-E1 cells. In ex vivo culture, SOE significantly increased the thickness of calvarial bone in mice. Taken together, our results indicate that SOE could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for dual-treatment of anti-obesity and anti-osteoporosis via activation of Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.