Beneficial effects of fucoidan on osteoblastic MG-63 cell differentiation

Fucoidan extracted from the marine brown alga Undaria pinnatifida, significantly induced osteoblastic cell differentiation. Our results indicated that a non-toxic sulphated polysaccharide, fucoidan, can increase activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and level of osteocalcin (OC) as phenotypic markers for early-stage osteoblastic differentiation and terminally osteoblastic differentiation, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed positive effects of fucoidan on bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) as an important factor for bone formation, remodeling and mineralization. The present study may provide new insights in the osteoblastic differentiation of fucoidan and possibility for its application in bone health supplement.