Effect and Mechanism of Astragalus Total Flavonoids on Proliferation, Differentiation and Mineralization of Rat Primary Osteoblast

Calvarium cultured primary osteoblasts of new born SD rat were cultured and exposed to different concentrations of Astragalus total flavonoids(ATF).The cell proliferation was detected by tetrazoline colorimetry(MTT),the differentiation was measured by activity of alkaline phosphatase(ALP),levels of type I collagen proteins synthesis and osteocalcin production in the cell,the mineralization was evaluated by means of Alizarin Red-S staining,the contents of bone morphogenetic protein(BMP-2) was detected by ELISA method,and core binding factor αl(Cbfαl,Runx-2) was detected by Western blot analysis.Results showed that proliferation,differentiation and mineralization of rat primary osteoblast were promoted by different concentrations of ATF in a dose-dependent manner,and ATF could increase the expression of BMP-2 and Runx-2.The results indicated that ATF could promote osteogenic activity of primary osteoblast by increasing the expression of BMP-2 and Runx-2.