Publication: Effects of piper sarmentosum on human foetal osteoblast cells (hFOB 1.19) viability and morphology
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Date
2025
Authors
Abdelhameed, Khald Abdelsalam Ali
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Abstract
Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterised by low bone mass and
deteriorated bone microarchitecture, resulting in an increased susceptibility to fracture.
The viability and activity of osteoblasts are central to the bone-forming and remodelling
processes, which render them an attractive target for therapy. Piper sarmentosum (PS), a
medicinal plant commonly used in Southeast Asia, has been shown to exhibit antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects, but its effects on osteoblast cells are
largely unknown. This study aimed to determine the effects of PS extract on viability,
proliferation, and morphology in human foetal osteoblast cells (hFOB 1.19) and to study
its cytotoxic effect. The half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of PS extract was
evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT
assay). Proliferation and morphological appearance utilising the half maximal effective
concentration (EC50) treatment were determined by Trypan Blue Exclusion Assay and
characterised on a phase contrast inverted microscope. General toxicity was also
evaluated using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT). The data showed that the PS
extract at an EC50 of 1.062 mg/mL promoted osteoblast cell proliferation in vitro in
comparison to the PAM EC50 of 12.80 μg/mL. The morphological examination disclosed
preservation of the cell architecture and absence of apoptotic or necrotic changes.
Additionally, the BSLT showed a 50% fatality rate at EC50, indicating that the extract was hazardous at its EC50 for Artemia salina. In summary, the PS extract demonstrated
biological activity in hFOB 1.19 cells. These findings provide preliminary evidence
supporting the safety and potential application of PS in bone health and warrant further
investigation into its molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications.