Abstract
Directional migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is known to serve roles in bone fracture healing. Naringin is a traditional medicine used in China to treat bone injury and has been confirmed to act as a chemoattractant to MSCs. In the present study, the secretion of chemokines and stimulation of relevant signaling pathways by naringin were detected to determine the molecular mechanism of naringin-induced MSC migration. In these experiments, Quantibody® arrays were used to detect chemokines secreted by MSCs with or without the addition of naringin. The results revealed differential naringin-induced chemokine secretion of C-X-C motif chemokine (CXCL)5, CXCL6 and C-C motif chemokine 20. Furthermore, the Ras signaling pathway was markedly activated in the naringin-treated groups, suggesting that naringin may enhance the migrational ability of MSCs via Ras activation. Furthermore, naringin was able to promote the secretion of various chemokines derived from MSCs, which would, in turn, increase the mobility of MSCs. The aim of the present study was to provide novel candidate agents for clinical orthopedics and theoretical basis for the future improvement of adjunctive medication for bone fracture healing.