Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, inhibits osteoclast differentiation and function in vitro

INTRODUCTION Adult bone is continuously remodeled through the formation of new bone tissue by osteoblasts and the resorption of old bone tissue by osteoclasts [1]. In general, an imbalance in bone remodeling that is caused by increased bone resorption over bone formation leads to most adult skeletal diseases including osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis [2]. Therefore, the enhanced activation of osteoclasts is the target for the therapeutic intervention of pathological bone loss. Current drugs for bone health include bisphosphonates, calcitonin and estrogen, which prevent osteoclastic bone resorption, resulting in the maintenance of bone mass and a reduction of fracture [3, 4]. Hence, growing evidence of the benefits of natural foods for bone health provide an alternative approach for managing osteoporosis. Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide that is primarily extracted from brown seaweeds such as Fucus vesiculosus, Ecklonia kurome and Undaria pinnatifida used as commercial seafood in the East Asian countries. Fucoidan has a variety of biological actions, including anticoagulant, antithrombotic, antitumor, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Recent studies have shown that fucoidan has beneficial effects of on osteoblastic cell differentiation and bone biomaterial osteoconductive properties. In this study, we were conducted to investigate the effect of fucoidan on osteoclast differentiation and function in vitro