Flavonoid compound icariin enhances BMP-2 induced differentiation and signalling by targeting to connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in SAMP6 osteoblasts

Icariin, a major active flavonoid glucoside, is widely used for the treatment of bone injury and rebuilding in the clinic because of its roles in suppressing osteoblastogenesis and promoting osteogenesis. The senescence-accelerated mouse SAMP6 was accepted as a useful murine model to reveal the mechanism of senile osteoporosis and the therapeutic mechanism of drug activity. However, little is known about the characteristics of SAMP6 osteoblasts...