Aqueous extract of Arctium lappa L. root (burdock) enhances chondrogenesis in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#arctium #cell-differentiation #cell-line #cell-proliferation #chondrogenesis

Aqueous extract of Arctium lappa L. root (burdock) enhances chondrogenesis in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Wu et al., 2020 | BMC Complement Med Ther | Other

Citation

Wu King-Chuen, Weng Hung-Kai, ... Wang Yang-Kao. Aqueous extract of Arctium lappa L. root (burdock) enhances chondrogenesis in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020-Nov-23;20(1):364. doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03158-1

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Arctium lappa L. root (burdock root) has long been recommended for the treatment of different diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. Burdock root possesses anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-microbial activities. The aim of the study was to elucidate whether aqueous extract of burdock root regulates mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and differentiation. METHODS: Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in 2D high density culture and in 3D micromass pellets were treated with chondrogenic induction medium and chondral basal medium in the absence or presence of aqueous extract of burdock root. The chondrogenic differentiation was accessed by staining glucosaminoglycans, immunostaining SOX9 and type II collagen and immuonblotting of SOX9, aggrecan and type II collagen. RESULTS: Treatment of aqueous extract of burdock root increased the cell proliferation of hMSCs. It did not have significant effect on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, but significantly enhanced chondrogenic induction medium-induced chondrogenesis. The increment was dose dependent, as examined by staining glucosaminoglycans, SOX9, and type II collagen and immunobloting of SOX9, aggrecan and type II collagen in 2D and 3D cultures. In the presence of supplemental materials, burdock root aqueous extract showed equivalent chondrogenic induction capability to that of TGF-β. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that aqueous extract of Arctium lappa L. root promotes chondrogenic medium-induced chondrogenic differentiation. The aqueous extract of burdock root can even be used alone to stimulate chondrogenic differentiation. The study suggests that the aqueous extract of burdock root can be used as an alternative strategy for treatment purposes.

Key Findings

Treatment of aqueous extract of burdock root increased the cell proliferation of hMSCs. It did not have significant effect on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, but significantly enhanced chondrogenic induction medium-induced chondrogenesis. The increment was dose dependent, as examined by staining glucosaminoglycans, SOX9, and type II collagen and immunobloting of SOX9, aggrecan and type II collagen in 2D and 3D cultures. In the presence of supplemental materials, burdock root aqueous e

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Arctium
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Chondrogenesis
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plant Roots
  • Taiwan

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Other
  • Publication Types: Journal Article
  • Vertical: burdock

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-12