Icariine stimulates proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts by increasing production of bone morphogenetic protein 2

Background Icariine is a flavonoid isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium pubescens and is the main active compound of it. Recently, Epimedium pubescens was found to have a therapeutic effect on osteoporosis. But the mechanism is unclear. The aim of the study was to research the effect of Icariine on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts. Methods Human osteoblasts were obtained by inducing human marrow...