Biomolecules & Therapeutics

The Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology (한국응용약물학회)
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Gnetofuran A Enhances Osteoblast Differentiation through the p38 Signaling Pathway

  • Meiyu Piao (Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Lulu Yao (Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University) ;
  • SeonJu Park (Metropolitan Seoul Center, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)) ;
  • Namki Cho (Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Na-Lee Ka (Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Kwang Youl Lee (Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University)
  • Received : 2025.09.21
  • Accepted : 2025.09.25
  • Published : 2025.11.01
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Abstract

Gnetofuran A, a newly extracted compound from Gnetum latifolium, possesses anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting TNF-α activity. However, the function and mechanism of Gnetofuran A in osteoblast differentiation remain unknown. In this study, we found that Gnetofuran A enhanced osteoblast differentiation and upregulated the mRNA levels of osteogenic genes, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC). Meanwhile, Gnetofuran A improved protein levels of Runt-related gene 2 (Runx2) and Osterix, the key transcription factors in osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, we discovered that p38 MAPK signaling is involved in Gnetofuran A-induced osteoblast differentiation. A docking analysis showed the potential interaction between Gnetofuran A and p38. Taken together, our study provides a new biological function of Gnetofuran A and a therapeutic candidate for osteoporosis.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIT) (RS-2019-NR040056), and by the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) (grant number: C523400).

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