Marine natural products that inhibit osteoclastogenesis and promote osteoblast differentiation

Abstract Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the quality of life of elderly people. The balance between bone formation mediated by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts is important to maintain the normal bone condition. Therefore, the promotion of osteoblast differentiation and the suppression of osteoclastogenesis are effective strategies for osteoporosis treatment. Marine organisms are a promising source of biologically active and structurally diverse secondary metabolites, and have been providing drug leads for the treatment of numerous diseases. We describe the marine-derived secondary metabolites that can inhibit receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and promote osteoblast differentiation.