Sanguis Draconis resin stimulates osteoblast alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization in MC3T3-E1 cells

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Sanguis Draconis (SD), “Dragon's Blood”, is a resin that is obtained from Daemonorops draco (Palmae). Used in traditional medicine, it has shown activity in the prevention of osteoporosis as well as promoting the healing of bone fractures. Materials and methods In this study, the effects of Sanguis Dranonis ethanol extract on β-glycerolphosphate and ascorbic acid induced differentiation using mouse calvaria origin MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells was examined. We looked at osteoblast differentiation, proliferation, and mineralization by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and specific bone marker activities. Osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in various concentrations of SD ethanol extract (0.005-1 mg/mL) during the osteoblast differentiation period (1, 5, 15, and 25 days). Results As measured by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, SD extracts increased cell proliferation as compared to control. The most pronounced effect was observed at the concentration range between 0.01 and 0.1 mg/mL (P Conclusions These results suggest that SD may increase osteogenic effect by stimulating cell ALP activity and affect the BMP signaling pathway cascades in osteoblastic cells, then promotes osteoblast differentiation, mineralization, and bone formation.