Artesunate inhibits RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption in vitro and prevents LPS‐induced bone loss in vivo

• Published in: Journal of cellular physiology 2018-01, Vol.233 (1), p.476-485
• Main Authors: Wei, Cheng‐Ming, Liu, Qian, Song, Fang‐Ming, Lin, Xi‐Xi, Su, Yi‐Ji, Xu, Jiake, Huang, Lin, Zong, Shao‐Hui, Zhao, Jin‐Min
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Artemisinin; Artemisinins - pharmacology; Artesunate; Arthritis; Biocompatibility; Biomedical materials; Bone diseases; Bone loss; Bone marrow; Bone resorption; Bone Resorption - drug therapy; Bone Resorption - genetics; Bone tumors; Cells, Cultured; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation; Giant cells; I-kappa B Proteins - metabolism; Lipopolysaccharides; lytic bone diseases; Macrophages; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NF-κB protein; osteoclast; Osteoclastogenesis; Osteoclasts; Osteoclasts - drug effects; Osteoclasts - metabolism; Osteogenesis - drug effects; Osteogenesis - genetics; Osteolysis; Osteolysis - chemically induced; Osteolysis - metabolism; Osteolysis - pathology; Osteolysis - prevention & control; Osteoporosis; Periodontitis; Phosphorylation; Proteolysis; RANK Ligand - metabolism; Signal transduction; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Time Factors; TRANCE protein; Transcription Factor RelA - metabolism; Tumors; X-Ray Microtomography
• ISSN: 0021-9541; 1097-4652
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25907

Osteoclasts are multinuclear giant cells responsible for bone resorption in lytic bone diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis, periodontitis, and bone tumors. Due to the severe side‐effects caused by the currently available drugs, a continuous search for novel bone‐protective therapies is essential. Artesunate (Art), the water‐soluble derivative of artemisinin has been investigated owing to its anti‐malarial properties. However, its effects in osteoclastogenesis have not yet been reported. In this study, Art was shown to inhibit the nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL)‐induced osteoclastogenesis, the mRNA expression of osteoclastic‐specific genes, and resorption pit formation in a dose‐dependent manner in primary bone marrow‐derived macrophages cells (BMMs). Furthermore, Art markedly blocked the RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis by attenuating the degradation of IκB and phosphorylation of NF‐κB p65. Consistent with the in vitro results, Art inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced bone resorption by suppressing the osteoclastogenesis. Together our data demonstrated that Art inhibits RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis by suppressing the NF‐κB signaling pathway and that it is a promising agent for the treatment of osteolytic diseases. Artesunate (Art), the water‐soluble derivative of artemisinin has been investigated owing to its anti‐malarial properties. However, its effects on osteoclastogenesis have not yet been reported. In this study, Art was shown to inhibit the nuclear factor‐kB ligand (RANKL)‐induced osteoclastogenesis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced bone resorption.