Megestrol Acetate Induced Proliferation and Differentiation of Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 Cells: A Drug Repurposing Approach

Publication date: Available online 19 February 2020Source: SteroidsAuthor(s): Serene A. Badran, Atia-tul-Wahab, Sharmeen Fayyaz, Bushra Taj, M. Iqbal ChoudharyAbstractAimsDrug repurposing or repositioning i.e; identifying new indications for existing drugs have recently accelerate the process of drug development and discovery. Megestrol acetate (1) is a well-known progestin. It is commonly used as an appetite stimulant, and also in the treatment of breast, and endometrial cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of megestrol acetate (1) in osteoblast differentiation, and to determine the possible mechanism involved in megestrol acetate (1) induced osteoblast differentiation.Main MethodsCytotoxicity of different steroidal drugs was evaluated using MTT assay.. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was also determined, and alizarin red S (ARS) staining was performed to measure extracellular mineralization. Osteogenic protein levels were determined using Western blot analysis.Key FindingsResults of the current study indicated that the megestrol acetate (1) enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast cells at 1, 0.2, and 0.04 µM. This stimulatory effect of the megestrol acetate was more prominent at 0.2 µM for cell proliferation, while the maximum cell differentiation (ALPase activity, and calcification) was observed at 0.04 μM. Western blot analysis also showed that megestrol acetate (1) altered the expression of bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP...
Source: Steroids - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research