Osteoporosis risk increases in menopausal individuals owing to the decrease in estrogen secretion. Blackcurrant extract (BCE) ameliorates osteoporosis; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Furthermore, although BCE has phytoestrogenic activity, its effects on osteoblasts are unknown. In the present study, we investigated BCE‑mediated attenuation of osteoporosis using mouse MC3T3‑E1 pre‑osteoblasts, with a focus on osteogenesis. After treating MC3T3‑E1 cells with BCE for 48 h, cell proliferation was assessed using Cell Counting Kit‑8. Levels of osteoblast differentiation markers, namely alkaline phosphatase activity and total collagen content in the cells, were evaluated after 3 and 14 days of BCE treatment, respectively. The expression of genes encoding osteoblast differentiation markers, including collagen type I (Col‑I), alkaline phosphatase (Alp), bone γ‑carboxyglutamate protein (Bglap), and runt‑related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), was evaluated using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Mineralization of the cells was evaluated using Alizarin Red staining. Femoral tissues of ovariectomized (OVX) rats with or without 3% BCE were stained using ALP to evaluate osteogenic differentiation in femoral tissue. After treating MC3T3‑E1 cells with BCE, cell proliferation had increased. BCE treatment increased Alp activity and total collagen content. Moreover, the expression of Col‑I, Alp, Bglap, and Runx2 increased in BCE‑treated cells. Furthermore, when MC3T3‑E1 cells were treated with BCE for 21 days, the levels of calcified nodules increased. Alp staining intensity was stronger in the epiphyses on femoral tissue of OVX rats treated with 3% BCE than in those of untreated OVX rats. The results suggest that BCE may promote osteogenesis by inducing osteoblast differentiation.

Related Articles