[Effect of icariin on osteoblastic differentiation gene expression of human periodontal ligament cells].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of icariin on human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) differentiation to osteoblast gene expression. METHODS: The fifth generation of the cultured hPDLCs was added with the concentration of 0.01 mg/L icariin, and the added osteogenic medium used as blank control group, alizarin red staining of icariin on human periodontal ligament cells was observed for 21 days; the 2, 4, and 6 days of Q-PCR quantitative analysis of icariin on human periodontal ligament cells were made for osteogenesis gene alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type I collagen and osteocalcin (OC) gene expression. RESULTS: For the 21 days, alizarin red staining icariin group formed more mineralized nodules; on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th days, the group of icariin promoted the expression of ALP and OC mRNA, reached the peak value on day 6, compared with the control group with significant difference (20.15±6.67 vs. 7.90±0.71, 4.13±0.56 vs. 3.55±0.08, P<0.01). The second day, the highest expression of type I collagen appeared, then decreased gradually after, statistically compared with the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Icariin can promote the human periodontal ligament cells differentiation to osteoblast, and promote the osteogenesis gene expression.