Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the capability of puerarin on osteogenic induction in bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs), and to explore the mechanism of osteoinductivity of puerarin in vitro. METHODS: After segregating and cultivation, bone marrow stromal cells from 3-weeks SD rats were induced by osteogenesis medium containing different concentrations of puerarin in induction groups; while in non-induction group, BMMSCs were still cultured with DMEM medium. Following continued culture for 2-4 weeks, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin and Wnt5b were measured. The capability of puerarin on osteogenic induction of BMMSCs and the relationship between this effect and Wnt signaling pathway were investigated. SPSS 16.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: After induction with puerarin, the level of alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin and Wnt5b increased.10-5 mol/L group showed the best effect. CONCLUSIONS: Puerarin can induce BMMSCs differentiation into osteoblasts. The mechanism may be related to Wnt signaling pathway.

Key words: Osteogenic induction, Puerarin, Bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells