Sesquiterpenoids from Homalomena occulta affect osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and mineralization in vitro.

Chemical investigation of rhizomes of Homalomena occulta (Lours) resulted in isolation and identification of two sesquiterpenoids (6,7), and one daucane ester 8, together with five known sesquiterpenoids, oplodiol, oplopanone, homalomenol C, bullatantriol, and 1beta,4beta,7alpha-trihydroxyeudesmane. Their structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and X-ray analyses. The chloroform extract of this plant and compounds 1-7 were tested in vitro for their activities in stimulating osteoblast (OB) proliferation, differentiation and mineralization. Compounds 1-4 had a stimulative effect on significantly proliferation and differentiation of culture osteoblasts, while the chloroform extract and 1 significantly stimulated mineralization of cultured osteoblasts in vitro.