IJUP08 - Universidade do Porto

Potential of Equisetum arvense hydromethanolic extracts as
osteoblastic growth promoters
C. Bessa Pereira 1,2 , L. Vieira 3 , M.A. Lopes 4 and M.H. Fernandes 2
1 Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
2 Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal
3 Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Portugal
4 Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal
Herbal medicines exert their beneficial effects through the additive or synergistic action of
several chemical compounds acting at single or multiple target sites associated with a
physiological process. Equisetum arvense (“horsetail”), a well known and wide-spread
pteridophyte distributed in the northern hemisphere, contains a large variety of bioactive
compounds including phenolics (flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins), phytosterols,
saponins and alkaloids. In vitro and in vivo studies provide some evidence of a positive
impact of phenolic phytochemicals and phytosterols on bone metabolism [1]. In addition,
horsetail has a high concentration of silicon, a mineral with an essential role in the bone
formation process [2]. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of hydromethanolic
extracts of E. arvense in the proliferation of human osteoblastic cells. Aiming at a potential
application in bone regeneration, osteoblast cell behaviour was also assessed in colonized
Bonelike ® granules impregnated with the extracts. Bonelike ® is a synthetic
osteoconductive bone graft that mimics the inorganic bone matrix and has been
successfully used in clinical bone regenerative applications [3].
MG63 osteoblast-like cells were cultured for 6 days in the presence of (i) hydromethanolic
extracts of E. arvense (0.05 – 5%), (ii) silicon (0.005-0.5 ppm), and (iii) Bonelike ®
granules impregnated with the extracts. Cultures were assessed for cell
viability/proliferation (MTT assay), throughout the incubation time.
E. arvense extracts (0.05% and 0.1%) had a promoting effect on the proliferation of MG63
osteoblastic cells, between 29% and 54%. At 1%, the extracts caused generalized cell dead.
Silicon, at 0.005 to 0.5 ppm, representative of the levels measured in the inducing extracts,
caused an increase on cell proliferation around 20%, suggesting the presence of other
bioactive compounds on the extracts. Bonelike ® granules impregnated with the extracts
allowed the adhesion and proliferation of MG63 osteoblastic cells.
Based on these observations, it can be suggested that the association of Bonelike ® with E.
arvense extracts might be a promising approach for improving bone graft osteointegration,
further enhancing the bone regenerative potential of this bone graft.
References:
[1] Habauzit, V. and Horcajada, M-N. (2008), Phenolic phytochemicals and bone, Phytochemical
Reviews, in press, DOI 10.1007/s11101-007-9078-9.
[2] Carlisle, E.M. (1997), Silicon, in O’Dell, B.L. and Sunde, R.A. (Eds.), “Handbook of
nutritionally essential mineral elements”, Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, pp. 603-618.
[3] Hussain, N., Lopes M.A., Maurício, A., Ali, N., Fernandes, M.A., Santos, J.D. (2007), Bonelike
graft for bone regenerative application, in Ahmed, W. and Jackson, m. (Eds), “Surface engineered
surgical tools and medical devices”, Springer Publications, New York.
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