Objective To study the effect of berberine (Ber) combined with chlorogenic acid (CA) on the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and the intervention effect on postmenopausal osteoporosis mice, and to explore the possible mechanism. Methods The effects of Ber, CA, and Ber+CA on the proliferation and differentiation capacity of MC3T3-E1 cells were observed. The mRNA expression levels of Wnt3a, β-catenin and osteogenic differentiation-related genes in MC3T3-E1 cells were detected. Forty female mice were randomly divided into sham operation group, osteoporosis model group, Ber group, CA group, and Ber+CA group. They were sacrificed 8 weeks after caudal intravenous administration. Serum BALP and BGP contents of the mice were detected. The microstructure changes of the femur were observed with micro-CT scanning. The protein expressions of Wnt3a and β-catenin in the femur was detected with immunohistochemistry. The histopathological structure changes of the important organs were observed by HE staining. Results The proliferation rate of MC3T3-E1 cells were not influenced in Ber group, CA group, and Ber+CA group, bu the osteogenic differentiation ability and mineralization level of MC3T3-E1 cells were promoted, which was the most obvious in Ber+CA group. Moreover, the mRNA expressions of Wnt3a, β-catenin, ALP, Runx2, OPN, and OCN significantly increased in the Ber+CA group (P<0.01). In vivo experiments showed that compared with those in the model group, serum contents of BALP and BGP in the Ber+CA group significantly reduced, the protein expressions of Wnt3a and β-catenin significantly increased, and the microstructure of femoral tissue was significantly improved in the Ber+CA group (P<0.05). Moreover, Ber+CA had no obvious damage to the important organ tissue sections of mice, indicating good biosafety. Conclusion Ber combined with CA promotes osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and improves partial osteoporosis phenotypic characteristics in ovariectomized mice. The mechanism may be related to the activation of Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway. |