| Objective To study the mechanism of the effect of combined use of lithium chloride and icariin on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, and to provide a basis for improving the mineralization ability of osteoblasts. Methods Enzyme digestion and Alizarin red staining were used to identify a large number of cells as osteoblasts. Osteoblasts were divided into blank group, ICA group (80 nmol/L), LiCl group (5 nmol/L), and ICA (80 nmol/L) + LiCl (5nmol /L) group. After 21 days of induction, Alizarin red staining and alkaline phosphatase activity were used to determine the mineralization ability and activity of osteoblasts in each group. CCK-8 and Western blotting were used to determine the proliferation of osteoblasts in vitro and the contents of p-GSK3β and β-catenin in osteoblasts. Results The cells were mostly mononuclear, polygonal, and fusiform under a phase-contract microscope. There were local cell-intensive cell clusters. The calcified nodules were stained into orange-red color by Alizarin red. When LiCl or icariin alone was additioned in osteoblasts, the proliferation of osteoblasts was significantly promoted, the ALP activity and mineralization ability were increased, and the expressions of p-GSK3β and β-catenin were significantly promoted. However, the combination of LiCl and ICA promoted the proliferation of osteoblasts and significantly inhibited the expressions of p-GSK3β and β-catenin at the molecular level (P < 0.05). Conclusion The combined use of lithium chloride and icariin promotes the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts through the Wnt signaling pathway. |