Padina pavonica Extract Promotes In Vitro Differentiation and Functionality of Human Primary Osteoblasts

Abstract

Marine algae have gained much importance in the development of nutraceutical products due to their high content of bioactive compounds. In this work, we investigated the activity of Padina pavonica with the aim to demonstrate the pro-osteogenic ability of its extract on human primary osteoblast (HOb). Our data indicated that the acetonic extract of P. pavonica (EPP) is a safe product as it did not show any effect on osteoblast viability. At the same time, EPP showed to possess a beneficial effect on HOb functionality, triggering their differentiation and mineralization abilities. In particular EPP enhanced the expression of the earlier differentiation stage markers: a 5.4-fold increase in collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), and a 2.3-fold increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), as well as those involved in the late differentiation stage: a 3.7-fold increase in osteocalcin (BGLAP) expression and a 2.8-fold in osteoprotegerin (TNFRSF11B). These findings were corroborated by the enhancement in ALPL enzymatic activity (1.7-fold increase) and by the reduction of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio (0.6-fold decrease). Moreover, EPP demonstrated the capacity to enhance the bone nodules formation by 3.2-fold in 4 weeks treated HOb. Therefore, EPP showed a significant capability of promoting osteoblast phenotype. Given its positive effect on bone homeostasis, EPP could be used as a useful nutraceutical product that, in addition to a healthy lifestyle and diet, can be able to contrast and prevent bone diseases, especially those connected with ageing, such as osteoporosis (OP).

Extract from the Marine Seaweed Padina pavonica Protects Mitochondrial Biomembranes from Damage by Amyloidogenic Peptides

“…Previously, we had demonstrated that extract of Padina pavonica [ 27 , 28 ] alleviated neurodegenerative phenotypes in fruit fly models of AD and PD when added as a food supplement [ 32 ]. In separate studies, we had also shown that pathogenic aggregates of three amyloid-forming proteins involved in the major brain neurodegenerative diseases—Aβ42, α-syn and tau—were highly damaging to mitochondria and the mitochondrial double-membrane.…”

“…Extract derived from the alga Padina pavonica (PPE) was supplied by the Institute of Cellular Pharmacology (ICP Concepts Ltd., Mosta Technopark, Malta). PPE was produced and chemically characterized as described previously [ 27 , 28 , 65 ]. Briefly, the seaweed was dried and milled before solid-liquid extraction was carried out by the Soxhlet extraction method using acetone as solvent.…”

“…PPE was found to be especially rich in phenolic compounds, one of the most important classes of natural bioactive compounds: flavonoids and tannins comprised 54.8 mg and 54.4 mg per g of extract, respectively. Hydrocarbons were another major component, with 68.83% corresponding to fatty acids, while sterols represented 8.37% of the extract, including fucosterol and cholesterol [ 27 , 28 ]. It has been previously shown that seaweed-derived compounds, such as phytosterols, are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the central nervous system (CNS), and may therefore exhibit neuromodulatory and neuroprotective properties [ 29 ].…”

Seaweed Exhibits Therapeutic Properties against Chronic Diseases: An Overview

“…Antioxidant fucoidans from Dictyota mertensii protect pro-osteoblastic cells under oxidative stress by deregulating osteoblast activity [217]. Furthermore, Padina pavonica promotes pro-osteogenic effects by enhancing osteoblast differentiation and subsequent mineralization, as well as by regulating the expression of earlier osteoblast-specific markers [218]. In contrast, fucoxanthin from Laminaria digitata and Ascophyllum nodosum extract showed low pro-osteogenic activity in the two cell types tested [11].…”

“…Promoted osteoblast-like cell mineralization Increased opercular bone area [222] Some marine algae have been investigated for their beneficial effects as osteogenic agents because of their important minerals, such as manganese, zinc, calcium, and amino acids, which can promote bone metabolism [223]. Bone-forming cells include osteoblasts, osteocytes, and bone-lining cells, whereas osteoclasts participate in bone resorption [218]. Red seaweeds have been reported to have osteoprotective effects on osteogenic differentiation.…”