Mechanisms of isorhamnetin inhibition of osteoclast differentiation: insights from molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro/in vivo experiments

BackgroundOsteoporosis (OP) represents a widespread bone remodeling disorder within the domain of orthopedics, markedly compromising the quality of life in the elderly population. The need to develop more efficient therapeutic approaches to attenuate bone resorption by suppressing the excessive acti...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yi Zhou, Shaoshuo Li, Bowen Hong, Zihan Wang, Yang Shao, Mao Wu, Jianwei Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1551257/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849310499313811456
author Yi Zhou
Shaoshuo Li
Bowen Hong
Zihan Wang
Yang Shao
Mao Wu
Mao Wu
Jianwei Wang
Jianwei Wang
author_facet Yi Zhou
Shaoshuo Li
Bowen Hong
Zihan Wang
Yang Shao
Mao Wu
Mao Wu
Jianwei Wang
Jianwei Wang
author_sort Yi Zhou
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundOsteoporosis (OP) represents a widespread bone remodeling disorder within the domain of orthopedics, markedly compromising the quality of life in the elderly population. The need to develop more efficient therapeutic approaches to attenuate bone resorption by suppressing the excessive activation of osteoclasts (OCs) remains urgent. The plant flavonoid Isorhamnetin (Iso), recognized for its potent antioxidant properties, has been the subject of extensive research regarding its potential in treating bone-related conditions.MethodThis study adopts a comprehensive methodology to evaluate Iso’s impact on bone metabolism and its therapeutic possibilities for treating OP. By integrating network pharmacology, molecular dynamics simulations, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR), we performed in vitro phenotypic analyses to systematically evaluate the inhibitory effect of Iso on OC differentiation. The mechanisms behind Iso’s inhibition of OC differentiation were further elucidated. In vivo testing was also performed to substantiate the therapeutic effects of Iso in an OP animal model.ResultsAt low concentrations, Iso showed no cytotoxicity and did not interfere with cell proliferation in RAW 264.7 cells. Iso effectively inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in these cells, while downregulating related genes levels (Nfatc1, Ctsk, Trap, c-Fos). Molecular dynamics simulations and surface plasmon resonance confirmed Iso’s dual binding to both RANKL and RANK. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis results indicated that Iso modulates the MAPK, NF-κB/PI3K-AKT, and calcium signaling pathways. Western blot analysis revealed that Iso treatment targeting the RANKL/RANK binding pathway significantly downregulated phosphorylation levels of JNK, P38, AKT, and p65. Concurrently, Iso stimulation markedly increased IκBα expression, thereby rescuing its degradation. Furthermore, Iso demonstrated a robust inhibitory effect on reactive oxygen species levels in vitro. Furthermore, in OVX mice, Iso treatment increased bone density, modulated serum bone metabolism markers, and downregulated transcriptional levels of OC marker genes.ConclusionIso exhibits therapeutic potential for OP by selectively targeting and disrupting the RANKL-RANK interaction. This intervention modulates the expression of intracellular transcription factors and multiple signaling pathways, thereby inhibiting the maturation of OCs. Through mitigating OC-mediated bone loss, Iso holds significant promise as a potent therapeutic agent for OP.
format Article
id doaj-art-38f3cb1a703544ff93472d9dbbc23389
institution Kabale University
issn 1663-9812
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Pharmacology
spelling doaj-art-38f3cb1a703544ff93472d9dbbc233892025-08-20T03:53:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-04-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15512571551257Mechanisms of isorhamnetin inhibition of osteoclast differentiation: insights from molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro/in vivo experimentsYi Zhou0Shaoshuo Li1Bowen Hong2Zihan Wang3Yang Shao4Mao Wu5Mao Wu6Jianwei Wang7Jianwei Wang8Graduate School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaWuxi Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, ChinaGraduate School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaGraduate School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaWuxi Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, ChinaGraduate School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaWuxi Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, ChinaGraduate School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaWuxi Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, ChinaBackgroundOsteoporosis (OP) represents a widespread bone remodeling disorder within the domain of orthopedics, markedly compromising the quality of life in the elderly population. The need to develop more efficient therapeutic approaches to attenuate bone resorption by suppressing the excessive activation of osteoclasts (OCs) remains urgent. The plant flavonoid Isorhamnetin (Iso), recognized for its potent antioxidant properties, has been the subject of extensive research regarding its potential in treating bone-related conditions.MethodThis study adopts a comprehensive methodology to evaluate Iso’s impact on bone metabolism and its therapeutic possibilities for treating OP. By integrating network pharmacology, molecular dynamics simulations, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR), we performed in vitro phenotypic analyses to systematically evaluate the inhibitory effect of Iso on OC differentiation. The mechanisms behind Iso’s inhibition of OC differentiation were further elucidated. In vivo testing was also performed to substantiate the therapeutic effects of Iso in an OP animal model.ResultsAt low concentrations, Iso showed no cytotoxicity and did not interfere with cell proliferation in RAW 264.7 cells. Iso effectively inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in these cells, while downregulating related genes levels (Nfatc1, Ctsk, Trap, c-Fos). Molecular dynamics simulations and surface plasmon resonance confirmed Iso’s dual binding to both RANKL and RANK. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis results indicated that Iso modulates the MAPK, NF-κB/PI3K-AKT, and calcium signaling pathways. Western blot analysis revealed that Iso treatment targeting the RANKL/RANK binding pathway significantly downregulated phosphorylation levels of JNK, P38, AKT, and p65. Concurrently, Iso stimulation markedly increased IκBα expression, thereby rescuing its degradation. Furthermore, Iso demonstrated a robust inhibitory effect on reactive oxygen species levels in vitro. Furthermore, in OVX mice, Iso treatment increased bone density, modulated serum bone metabolism markers, and downregulated transcriptional levels of OC marker genes.ConclusionIso exhibits therapeutic potential for OP by selectively targeting and disrupting the RANKL-RANK interaction. This intervention modulates the expression of intracellular transcription factors and multiple signaling pathways, thereby inhibiting the maturation of OCs. Through mitigating OC-mediated bone loss, Iso holds significant promise as a potent therapeutic agent for OP.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1551257/fullisorhamnetinmolecular dynamics simulationnetwork pharmacologyosteoclastosteoporosis
spellingShingle Yi Zhou
Shaoshuo Li
Bowen Hong
Zihan Wang
Yang Shao
Mao Wu
Mao Wu
Jianwei Wang
Jianwei Wang
Mechanisms of isorhamnetin inhibition of osteoclast differentiation: insights from molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro/in vivo experiments
Frontiers in Pharmacology
isorhamnetin
molecular dynamics simulation
network pharmacology
osteoclast
osteoporosis
title Mechanisms of isorhamnetin inhibition of osteoclast differentiation: insights from molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro/in vivo experiments
title_full Mechanisms of isorhamnetin inhibition of osteoclast differentiation: insights from molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro/in vivo experiments
title_fullStr Mechanisms of isorhamnetin inhibition of osteoclast differentiation: insights from molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro/in vivo experiments
title_full_unstemmed Mechanisms of isorhamnetin inhibition of osteoclast differentiation: insights from molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro/in vivo experiments
title_short Mechanisms of isorhamnetin inhibition of osteoclast differentiation: insights from molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro/in vivo experiments
title_sort mechanisms of isorhamnetin inhibition of osteoclast differentiation insights from molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro in vivo experiments
topic isorhamnetin
molecular dynamics simulation
network pharmacology
osteoclast
osteoporosis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1551257/full
work_keys_str_mv AT yizhou mechanismsofisorhamnetininhibitionofosteoclastdifferentiationinsightsfrommoleculardynamicssimulationsandinvitroinvivoexperiments
AT shaoshuoli mechanismsofisorhamnetininhibitionofosteoclastdifferentiationinsightsfrommoleculardynamicssimulationsandinvitroinvivoexperiments
AT bowenhong mechanismsofisorhamnetininhibitionofosteoclastdifferentiationinsightsfrommoleculardynamicssimulationsandinvitroinvivoexperiments
AT zihanwang mechanismsofisorhamnetininhibitionofosteoclastdifferentiationinsightsfrommoleculardynamicssimulationsandinvitroinvivoexperiments
AT yangshao mechanismsofisorhamnetininhibitionofosteoclastdifferentiationinsightsfrommoleculardynamicssimulationsandinvitroinvivoexperiments
AT maowu mechanismsofisorhamnetininhibitionofosteoclastdifferentiationinsightsfrommoleculardynamicssimulationsandinvitroinvivoexperiments
AT maowu mechanismsofisorhamnetininhibitionofosteoclastdifferentiationinsightsfrommoleculardynamicssimulationsandinvitroinvivoexperiments
AT jianweiwang mechanismsofisorhamnetininhibitionofosteoclastdifferentiationinsightsfrommoleculardynamicssimulationsandinvitroinvivoexperiments
AT jianweiwang mechanismsofisorhamnetininhibitionofosteoclastdifferentiationinsightsfrommoleculardynamicssimulationsandinvitroinvivoexperiments