Benzylideneacetone Derivatives Inhibit Osteoclastogenesis and Activate Osteoblastogenesis Independently Based on Specific Structure–Activity Relationship

Abstract

(<i>E</i>)-3,4-Dihydroxybenzylideneacetone (compound <b>1</b>) inhibited receptor activator of NF-κB ligand-induced osteoclastogenesis of C57BL/6 bone marrow monocyte/macrophages with IC₅₀ of 7.8 μM (IC₅₀ of alendronate, 3.7 μM) while stimulating the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells, accompanied by the induction of Runt-related transcription factor 2, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin. (<i>E</i>)-4-(3-Hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one (compound <b>2c</b>) showed a dramatically increased osteoclast-inhibitory potency with IC₅₀ of 0.11 μM while sustaining osteoblast-stimulatory activity. (<i>E</i>)-4-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one (compound <b>2g</b>) stimulated alkaline phosphatase production 2-fold at 50 μM without changing osteoclast-inhibitory activity, compared with compound <b>1</b>. Oral administration of compounds <b>1</b>, <b>2c</b>, and <b>2g</b> prevented ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in ddY mice to a degree proportional to their osteoclastogenesis-inhibitory potencies. The administration of 1 (mg/kg)/d compound <b>2c</b> ameliorated histomorphometry of osteoporotic bone to a degree comparable with 10 (mg/kg)/d alendronate. Conclusively, the in vitro capacity of a few benzylideneacetone derivatives to inhibit osteoclastogenesis supported by independent osteoblastogenesis activation was convincingly reflected in in vivo management of osteoporosis, suggesting a potential novel therapeutics for osteopenic diseases.