IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS) e-ISSN: 2278-3008. Volume 5, Issue 2 (Jan. – Feb. 2013), PP 10-17 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 10 | Page The anti-osteoporotic effect of Moringa oliefera on osteoblastic cells: SaOS 2 Chirag Patel 1 , Ayaz Rangrez 2 , Pragna Parikh 3 1,2&3 (Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodaara, India) Abstract: M.oliefera oliefera (MO) is a middle-sized tree, cultivated throughout India. It is a multipurpose tree, used as a vegetable, spice, a source of cooking and cosmetic oil and as a medicinal plant. It is reported to contain alkaloids, flavonoids, anthocyanins. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihyperlipidaemic, antifertility and anticancer activities. An in-vivo study in our laboratory has proved the osteoprotective potential of the plant. In the present study an attempt is made to explore the osteoblastogenic potential of the different parts of the plant on the osteoblast cell line SaOS2. Methanolic extracts of MO components showed a positive effect, and of all the three components, flower and fruit were found to have significant osteoblast stimulating property. Flower extract was found to be increasing the number of osteoblastic cells; while the fruit extract was having more elaborative effect as it increased ALP activity, induced bone formation, increased hydroxyproline content and bone mineral formation. In conclusion, Methanolic Extact of MO on SaOS2 cell line affirmed the beneficial effects and thus indicates its potential in preventing osteoporosis. Keywords- MO, MO Flower, MO Fruit, MO Leaves, Moringa oliefera, Osteoblasts, SaOS2 I. Introduction Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease influenced by genetic and various environmental factors. It leads to reduction in a bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of the tissue, leading to skeletal fragility and possibilities of fracture, worsening the life of the patient. Osteoporosis arises due to loss of bone integrity which mainly depends on complexly coupled activity of osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption [1]. Hence, osteoporotic drugs are designed targeting these two basic processes; especially post menopausal osteoporosis. Post menopausal bone loss is the most common cause of osteoporosis in females [2]. Estrogen Replacement Therapy can relieve the patient from few problems associated with post menopausal syndrome. However, this therapy is not having any compliance as it poses a greater threat of breast and endometrial cancer [3]. In addition, other alternative therapies developed in last few decades as pharmaceutical agents are not affordable for common man. Thus an alternative approach is required to develop new therapeutic drugs, which are safer, cheaper and easily available on global scale. Of all these alternative therapies, recently herbal medicine is gaining its importance because of its wider availability and cost effectiveness. Osteoblasts are characterized by their ability to synthesize and secrete collagen like extra-cellular protein molecules and inducing the mineralization of this matrix via secretion of ALP like enzymes [4,5]. Hence, ALP activity is considered to be one of the most significant markers of osteoblastic activity. For studying osteoblastic activity in vitro, various cell lines have been developed, out of which SaOS 2 cell line has been considered to be the most promising cell line. Though transformed, it expresses all phenotypes of osteoblastic cells making them a good model for studying osteoporosis in vitro [6,7]. After conducting several experiments on MO and understanding its osteoprotective effect, it was learned that this plant is having miraculous effect on bone integrity and it potently prevents osteoporosis. Various workers have indicated that this plant is having various phytochemicals, especially phytoestrogens which can have positive effect on bone [8]. Recent work by Zhang and co-workers [9] has shown that flavonoids can stimulate osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation. In another study, Vali and his collogues [10] also proved that Epigallocatechin-3-gallate like flavonoids induce bone mineralization and bone nodule formation. As MO flower and fruit are rich in various flavonoids and phytoestrogens, one can speculate about osteoblastogenic potential of this plant. Hence, it was designed to explore the components of MO for their effect on osteoblastic cells. II. Methods And Materials 2.1. Chemicals Sodium β-glyecerophosphate was purchased from Sigma Chemicals. Methanol and Triton X – 100 were of Domestic AR grade products. DMEM, 100 X antimicrobial antifungal solutions, Accutase and FBS