Effects of quercetin on TNF-α-induced cytokine secretion and nitric oxide production in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells

Bioflavone quercetin is thought to have an important role to inhibit bone loss by affecting osteoclastogenesis and regulating a number of systemic and local factors such as hormones and cytokines. In this study, we examined how quercetin acts on cytokine production and mineralization of osteoblast in the presence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) which has been known to play a pivotal role in bone metabolic diseases. Quercetin inhibited TNF-α-induced secretion of IFN-γ and IL-6 in differentiated MC3T3-E1 cells. As indicated by the markers that are characteristics of the osteoblast phenotype, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium deposition, quercetin treatment slightly prevented the TNF-α-induced dramatic inhibition of differentiation and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells. Further, quercetin inhibited the production of nitric oxide induced by TNF-α in the cells. Collectively, our findings indicate that quercetin inhibites TNF-α-induced secretion of inflammatory cytokines in differentiated MC3T3-E1 cells without any cytotoxic effects.