Puerarin modulates apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 and ATDC5 cells by attenuating the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of puerarin against apoptosis of osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Methods: Osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and chondrocyte ATDC5 were used as cellular models. Dexamethasone (Dex) was used to induce cellular stress. Cell viability was determined with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell apoptosis and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also measured. Changes in ERS markers were measured with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Results: Treatment with puerarin reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis, and inhibited the production of ROS. Furthermore, the expression levels of ER stress markers (ATF6, IRE1α, GRP78, XBP1, and eIF2α) were decreased after treatment with puerarin. Conclusion: Puerarin protected MC3T3-E1 and ATDC5 cells from apoptosis via attenuation of the expression levels of ER stress markers. Thus, puerarin may be a potential drug for treatment of ONFH.