Geraniin inhibits TNF-α-induced impairments of osteogenesis through NF-κB and p38 MAPK signalling pathways in bone marrow stem cells

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect and mechanism of geraniin on the osteogenesis of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). METHODS: BALB/c mice aged 4–6 weeks were used to collect BMSC. Methyl thiazol tetrazolium assay and lactate dehydrogenase assay were used to analyse the effect of geraniin on the TNF-α-induced impairments of osteogenesis in BMSCs. BMSCs were stained using Oil red to measure the osteogenesis. Real-time reverse transcription PCR and western blot analysis were used to analyse the expression of RunX2 and Osx miRNA, and expression of NF-κB, IкB-α and p38 MAPK protein in BMSCs. RESULTS: 2.5 µM geraniin significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced BMSCs cytotoxicity. 2.5 µM geraniin significantly reduced the expression of RunX2 and Osx miRNA in TNF-α-induced BMSCs. 2.5 µM geraniin suppressed the expression of NF-κB and p38 MAPK protein and promoted the expression of IкB-α protein in the TNF-α-induced BMSCs. CONCLUSION: Geraniin inhibits TNF-α-induced impairments of osteogenesis through NF-κB/IкB-α and p38 MAPK signalling pathways in BMSCs.