Effect of icariin on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts under the treatment of titanium particles

[Objective]To investigate the effect of icariin on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts during treatment with titanium particles.[Method]Calvarial osteoblasts of newborn rats were separated in vitro by repeated enzyme digestion and inoculated into primary culture.Dual fluorescence staining was performed to observe cellular histomorphology variation by scanning- laser confocal microscopy.Titanium particles(0.01,0.05,0.1,0.5,and 1 mg / mL) were added to determine their effect on osteoblast proliferation and identify the median lethal concentration by the CCK- 8 method.Icariin at 10- 5,10- 6,10- 7,10- 8,10- 9,and 10- 10mol / L was added for interference.The effect of icariin on proliferation of titanium- treated osteoblasts was measured to determine the optimum drug concentration.Icariin with optimum drug concentration was added to interfere osteoblasts with titanium particles,ALP activity was detected by ELISA on culture day 3,7,and 14 days to determine the effect of icariin on osteoblast differentiation.[Result]Cellular shrinkage and microfilament distortion were observed by scanning- laser confocal microscopy in osteoblasts that had taken up titanium particles.In comparison to the control group,titanium particles inhibited osteoblast proliferation(P 0.05) in a dose- dependent manner;the medium lethal concentration was 0.5 mg / mL.Icariin concentrations of 10- 10- 10- 6mol / L promoted osteoblast proliferation in the presence of titanium particles(P 0.05);the optimum icariin concentration was 10- 9mol / L.At this concentration,icariin inhibited the decline of ALP activity caused by titanium particles(P 0.05).[Conclusion]Icariin reverses the inhibiting effect of titanium particles on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in vitro,and may become an effective method for preventing aseptic loosening of joint prostheses.