Urolithin A (UA) is an intestinal microbial metabolite derived from
ellagitannins and a promising agent for treating
osteoarthritis. However, its effects on
osteoporosis are unclear. This study explored the effects of
urolithin A (UA) on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB
ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclasts and its underlying molecular mechanisms. RANKL treatment significantly increased
tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (
TRACP) or osteoclast marker levels (P < 0.05), while adding UA decreased the RANKL-induced levels (P < 0.05) in RAW264.7 cells. Total
RNA isolated from RANKL- or RANKL + UA-treated cells was sequenced, and the obtained transcriptome dataset revealed 2,399 differentially expressed genes. They were enriched in multiple pathways involved in
rheumatoid arthritis, ERK1 and ERK2 cascade, regulation of inflammatory response, ECM-receptor interactions, and TNF signaling. Scanning electron microscopy showed that RANKL promoted
bone resorption pits in bone biopsy specimens, whereas UA inhibited their formation. When bone morphogenic
protein 2 (BMP2) was
shRNA-silenced, the
bone resorption pits were restored. Moreover, while RANKL significantly enhanced the levels of p-ERK2/ERK2, p-p38/p38, p-Akt1/Akt1, p-ERK1/ERK1, and osteoclast-related
proteins (P < 0.05), UA reduced them. BMP2 silencing also reversed the UA inhibitory effect. Thus, UA represses the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation of RAW264.7 cells by regulating Akt1, p38, and ERK1/2 signaling, and BMP2 likely reverses the UA inhibitory effect via these pathways. We propose BMP2 as a potential
drug target for treating bone
metabolic diseases, such as
osteoporosis.