Objective To investigate the effects of parthenolide (PTL) on the differentiation of osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) induced by dexamethasone (Dex) and the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. Methods MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with 2.5-80 μmol/L pyrethrone and dexamethasone. The cell proliferation activity was detected with CCK-8 method. MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into Control group, dexamethasone group (Dex group), low-, medium-, and high-concentration parthenolide groups (PTL-L group, PTL-M group, and PTL-H group), and high concentration parthenolide+Wnt inhibitor group (PTL-H+DKK1 group). ALP activity was detected with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining. The formation of mineralized nodules was observed with Alizarin red S staining. Western blotting was applied to detect the expression levels of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin (OCN), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), cyclin D1, and Wnt/β-catenin pathway related proteins. Results Chrysanthemone with a concentration of 2.5-80 μmol/L promoted the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells induced by dexamethasone, so the Chrysanthemone with a concentration of 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 μmol/L was selected for subsequent experiments. Compared with those in the control group, ALP activity and mineralized nodules in Dex group decreased obviously, and the expression levels of RUNX2, OCN, BMP2, Cyclin D1, Wnt3a, and β-catenin proteins decreased obviously (P<0.05). Compared with those in Dex group, ALP activity and the number of mineralized nodules in PTL-L group, PTL-M group, and PTL-H group increased in turn, and the protein expression levels of RUNX2, OCN, BMP2, Cyclin D1, Wnt3a, and β-catenin increased in turn (P<0.05). Compared with those in PTL-H group, ALP activity and mineralized nodules in PTL-H+DKK1 group decreased obviously, and the protein expression levels of UNX2, OCN, BMP2, Cyclin D1, Wnt3a, and β-catenin decreased obviously (P<0.05). Conclusion Parthenolide alleviates the inhibitory effects of dexamethasone on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts by activating Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. |