Activated Estrogen Receptor-β and Osteocalcin Improvement by Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Marsilea crenata C. Presl. in Human Fetal Osteoblast (hFOB 1.19) Cell Line

Estrogen is important for increasing bone formation and preventing bone resorption. phytoestrogens are groups of chemicals that have structures or functions similar to estrogen. They can take the place of estrogen in the body and have a direct effect on bone density by activating estrogen-β receptors (ER-β*) and encouraging the expression of osteocalcin (Ocn). The leaves of Marsilea crenata C. Presl. are known to contain phytoestrogens. This research aimed to determine the effect of the ethyl acetate fraction of M. crenata leaves (EFM) on increasing the ER-β* by measuring free estrogen receptor-β (ER-β) expression as well as increasing osteocalcin (Ocn) expression in the human fetal osteoblastic (hFOB) 1.19 cell line. This research was carried out by giving the EFM at doses of 62.5, 125, and 250 ppm. Genistein 1μM is used as a positive control. Expression of ER-β and Ocn was analyzed using the immunocytochemistry (ICC) method and a confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) instrument. The results showed that EFM optimally reduced ER-β expression at 250 ppm by 909.80 arbitrary unit (AU) and increased Ocn expression at 125 ppm by 734.94 AU. Further research in M. crenata is necessary because it suggests that the phytoestrogen content of the EFM may play a role in bone formation and have the potential to become an antiosteoporosis alternative drug.