# Sea buckthorn berry extract favorably affects bone metabolism-related biomarkers and collagen deposition in cultured rat primary osteoblasts

## TL;DR

Sea buckthorn extract improves bone-related markers in rat osteoblasts, suggesting potential as a bone health supplement.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that sea buckthorn extract at specific concentrations enhances bone metabolism markers in primary osteoblasts.

## Key findings

- Sea buckthorn extract increased levels of BGLAP, COL1A1, and IBSP at specific concentrations.
- Collagen deposition was enhanced, while TNFSF11 levels were reduced.
- Higher doses reduced cell viability and mineralization despite lowering apoptosis.

## Abstract

This study aimed to analyse the impact of sea buckthorn (SB) berry extract on the function of cultured rat primary osteoblasts, including the production of bone metabolism-related biomarkers and bone matrix formation. Primary osteoblasts best reflect in vivo conditions. Osteoblast apoptosis, viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALPL) activity, production of ALPL, osteocalcin (BGLAP), collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), integrin-binding sialoprotein (IBSP), tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11 (TNFSF11), and calcium/collagen deposition were assessed. The composition of the extract showed that the main phenolic metabolites found were flavonol glycosides (67.1 %). SB berry extract significantly increased the levels of BGLAP (at 0.5 and 1 μg/mL), COL1A1 (at 1–100 μg/mL), IBSP (at 0.1–1 μg/mL), collagen deposition (at 1–10 μg/mL), and decreased TNFSF11 levels (at 0.1 and 0.5 μg/mL). Although higher doses of the extract (50 and 100 μg/mL) reduced osteoblast apoptosis, they also lowered cell viability, IBSP levels, and mineralization. It can be concluded that SB berry extract at concentrations up to 10 μg/mL favorably affected multiple bone metabolism-related biomarkers, indicating that it has encouraging potential for use as a nutraceutical to support bone health due to the unique composition of bioactive metabolites and the known synergistic interactions between them.