Panax notoginseng stimulates alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen synthesis, and mineralization in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

Total Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) has been extensively used to treat a variety of diseases, such as bone fractures, soft tissue injuries, etc. In this study, mouse calvaria-original osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in various concentrations of PNS (0.005–5 mg/mL) during the period (1, 5, 14, and 23 d). At the endpoint, the osteogenic capacity of MC3T3-E1 cells was investigated by measuring the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, the deposited calcium, and the expression of osteogenic-related markers, including bone collagen type 1 (Col1) and osteocalcin (OCN). Compared with all groups in each period, the most pronounced effect was observed at the concentration range between 0.05 and 0.5 mg/mL (P < 0.05) and the cell proliferation with PNS treatment was found during the whole osteogenic period. Moreover, cellular ALP activity with PNS was increased during 7, 14, and 21 d and cell mineralization with PNS was enhanced in 14 and 21 d. Furthermore, the differentiation markers Col1 and OCN increased in the PNS-treated cells. Our work suggests that PNS may stimulate the osteogenesis process which contains osteoblastic proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization by increasing cellular ALP activity, extracellular matrix mineralization, and osteoblast-associated molecules in the osteoblasts.