Sea buckthorn berry extract favorably affects bone metabolism-related biomarkers and collagen deposition in cultured rat primary osteoblasts

Abstract This study aimed to analyse the impact of sea buckthorn (SB) berry extract on the function of cultured rat primary osteoblasts, including the production of bone metabolism-related biomarkers and bone matrix formation. Primary osteoblasts best reflect in vivo conditions. Osteoblast apoptosis, viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALPL) activity, production of ALPL, osteocalcin (BGLAP), collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), integrin-binding sialoprotein (IBSP), tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11 (TNFSF11), and calcium/collagen deposition were assessed. The composition of the extract showed that the main phenolic metabolites found were flavonol glycosides (67.1 %). SB berry extract significantly increased the levels of BGLAP (at 0.5 and 1 μg/mL), COL1A1 (at 1–100 μg/mL), IBSP (at 0.1–1 μg/mL), collagen deposition (at 1–10 μg/mL), and decreased TNFSF11 levels (at 0.1 and 0.5 μg/mL). Although higher doses of the extract (50 and 100 μg/mL) reduced osteoblast apoptosis, they also lowered cell viability, IBSP levels, and mineralization. It can be concluded that SB berry extract at concentrations up to 10 μg/mL favorably affected multiple bone metabolism-related biomarkers, indicating that it has encouraging potential for use as a nutraceutical to support bone health due to the unique composition of bioactive metabolites and the known synergistic interactions between them.