Artesunate Promotes Bone Remodeling Through TRAF6-Mediated NF-κB Signaling Under Orthodontic Stress in Diabetic Rats

Objectives: To determine the effects of artesunate (ART) on bone remodeling in vivo under orthodontic stress in diabetic rats and explore the underlying mechanisms in vitro. Materials and methods: A rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus with orthodontic tooth movement was established. The rats recei...

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Main Authors: Yuxiang Zhan, Siqin Zhang, Minjie Yang, Yuchen Wang, Jiaquan Li, Xiaolin Nong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:International Dental Journal
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653925001200
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author Yuxiang Zhan
Siqin Zhang
Minjie Yang
Yuchen Wang
Jiaquan Li
Xiaolin Nong
author_facet Yuxiang Zhan
Siqin Zhang
Minjie Yang
Yuchen Wang
Jiaquan Li
Xiaolin Nong
author_sort Yuxiang Zhan
collection DOAJ
description Objectives: To determine the effects of artesunate (ART) on bone remodeling in vivo under orthodontic stress in diabetic rats and explore the underlying mechanisms in vitro. Materials and methods: A rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus with orthodontic tooth movement was established. The rats received ART and/or metformin (Met) orally. The effects of ART and Met on periodontium changes were evaluated using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and immunohistochemical staining. Molecular docking analyses were employed to investigate the mechanisms of ART action. In vitro, the effects of ART on osteogenic and osteoclastic activity were explored by examining TRAF6 and NF-κB expression under hyperglycemic and static pressure conditions via immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Results: ART enhanced bone metabolism despite hyperglycemia, though mechanical stress still induced bone resorption. Treatment with ART alone or in combination with Met promoted osteogenesis. TRAF6, NF-κB and the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathways have been identified as key mediators of these effects. The expression of the osteogenesis-associated factor OPG increased after ART and Met treatment, while that of TRAF6 and the osteoclast-associated factors RANKL and NF-κB decreased. Conclusions: Increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation are characteristics of type 2 diabetes, impacting orthodontic tooth movement. ART administration alone promotes bone remodeling under static pressure and hyperglycemic conditions. These effects are mediated by lowering blood sugar levels, inhibiting osteoclast function, and improving osteogenesis through mechanisms closely associated with the OPG/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway.
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spelling doaj-art-ffaa07cbe3434eea81455f5c835d9d892025-08-20T03:12:27ZengElsevierInternational Dental Journal0020-65392025-08-0175410083110.1016/j.identj.2025.04.011Artesunate Promotes Bone Remodeling Through TRAF6-Mediated NF-κB Signaling Under Orthodontic Stress in Diabetic RatsYuxiang Zhan0Siqin Zhang1Minjie Yang2Yuchen Wang3Jiaquan Li4Xiaolin Nong5Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Clinical Research Center for Craniofacial Deformity, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaDepartment of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaDepartment of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaDepartment of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaLife Science Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Medical Science Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaDepartment of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Clinical Research Center for Craniofacial Deformity, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Corresponding author. College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 10 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.Objectives: To determine the effects of artesunate (ART) on bone remodeling in vivo under orthodontic stress in diabetic rats and explore the underlying mechanisms in vitro. Materials and methods: A rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus with orthodontic tooth movement was established. The rats received ART and/or metformin (Met) orally. The effects of ART and Met on periodontium changes were evaluated using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and immunohistochemical staining. Molecular docking analyses were employed to investigate the mechanisms of ART action. In vitro, the effects of ART on osteogenic and osteoclastic activity were explored by examining TRAF6 and NF-κB expression under hyperglycemic and static pressure conditions via immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Results: ART enhanced bone metabolism despite hyperglycemia, though mechanical stress still induced bone resorption. Treatment with ART alone or in combination with Met promoted osteogenesis. TRAF6, NF-κB and the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathways have been identified as key mediators of these effects. The expression of the osteogenesis-associated factor OPG increased after ART and Met treatment, while that of TRAF6 and the osteoclast-associated factors RANKL and NF-κB decreased. Conclusions: Increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation are characteristics of type 2 diabetes, impacting orthodontic tooth movement. ART administration alone promotes bone remodeling under static pressure and hyperglycemic conditions. These effects are mediated by lowering blood sugar levels, inhibiting osteoclast function, and improving osteogenesis through mechanisms closely associated with the OPG/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653925001200Type 2 diabetesOrthodontic forceArtesunateTRAF6NF-κBBone reconstruction
spellingShingle Yuxiang Zhan
Siqin Zhang
Minjie Yang
Yuchen Wang
Jiaquan Li
Xiaolin Nong
Artesunate Promotes Bone Remodeling Through TRAF6-Mediated NF-κB Signaling Under Orthodontic Stress in Diabetic Rats
International Dental Journal
Type 2 diabetes
Orthodontic force
Artesunate
TRAF6
NF-κB
Bone reconstruction
title Artesunate Promotes Bone Remodeling Through TRAF6-Mediated NF-κB Signaling Under Orthodontic Stress in Diabetic Rats
title_full Artesunate Promotes Bone Remodeling Through TRAF6-Mediated NF-κB Signaling Under Orthodontic Stress in Diabetic Rats
title_fullStr Artesunate Promotes Bone Remodeling Through TRAF6-Mediated NF-κB Signaling Under Orthodontic Stress in Diabetic Rats
title_full_unstemmed Artesunate Promotes Bone Remodeling Through TRAF6-Mediated NF-κB Signaling Under Orthodontic Stress in Diabetic Rats
title_short Artesunate Promotes Bone Remodeling Through TRAF6-Mediated NF-κB Signaling Under Orthodontic Stress in Diabetic Rats
title_sort artesunate promotes bone remodeling through traf6 mediated nf κb signaling under orthodontic stress in diabetic rats
topic Type 2 diabetes
Orthodontic force
Artesunate
TRAF6
NF-κB
Bone reconstruction
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653925001200
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