The Potential Mechanisms of Total Flavonoids of Drynaria roosii Nakaike in the Treatment of Ovariectomized Osteoporotic Rats through the SDF-1/CXCR4 Axis and BMSCs.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential mechanisms and therapeutic effects of Total Flavonoids of Drynaria roosii Nakaike (TFRD) on osteoporotic rats following ovariectomy, through modulation of the stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) axis.

METHODS

Ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporotic rat models were established and treated with TFRD. The effects of TFRD on Bone Mineral Density (BMD), bone microarchitecture, and the expression of genes and proteins related to the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis in rat lumbar vertebrae were assessed using BMD measurement, bone histomorphology analysis, and molecular biology techniques.

RESULTS

In the TFRD treatment group, lumbar spine BMD significantly increased, and trabecular structure improved. Further mechanistic studies revealed that TFRD regulated SDF-1 expression, thereby promoting its binding to the CXCR4 receptor and, in turn, enhancing migration, homing, and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. These changes ultimately led to increased bone formation and decreased bone resorption, improving symptoms of osteoporosis.

DISCUSSION: This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanism of TFRD gene therapy in OVX osteoporosis rats by elucidating its involvement through the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis and BMSCs-mediated osteogenic differentiation.

CONCLUSION

These findings serve as a solid experimental and theoretical foundation for developing new anti-osteoporosis drugs. Furthermore, due to its natural plant extract origin, TFRD shows promising clinical application potential and requires further comprehensive investigation.