Protocatechuic Acid Promotes Osteoblast Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Impact on Bone Metabolism, Osteoporosis and Fractures

Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is found throughout nature, common to the human diet and produced daily by the bacteria in human large bowel microbiome. PCA, a food supplement, is safe by any measure; non-toxic, non-allergenic and non-mutagenic. Our in vitro results revealed that PCA promotes osteoblast differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) cultures, as indicated by increased expression of SSP1, RUNX2, and ALPL and calcium deposition. These results may ultimately lead to the use of PCA, a nutraceutical, for the treatment of metabolic bone disorders, osteoporosis, and fractures.