In this study, the effects of forsterite and clinoenstatite powder extracts on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rat adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were investigated and compared with the β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) powder extracts. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and live-dead staining were performed to evaluate the viability and proliferation of rat ASCs. Osteogenic differentiation of rat ASCs were assayed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and ALP activity test. The expression of osteogenic marker genes (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), runt related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), collagen type Iα1 (Col1α1), secreted phosphoprotein1 (Spp1, osteopontin), integrin binding sialoprotein (Ibsp), bone gla protein (Bglap)) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The MTT assay and the live-dead staining showed that all the three ceramics possessed good cytocompatibility with rat ASCs. Furthermore, forsterite and clinoenstatite promoted the proliferation of rat ASCs compared with β-TCP. The results of the ALP activity test and the real-time PCR demonstrated that forsterite and clinoenstatite promoted the osteogenic differentiation of rat ASCs. These results suggested that forsterite and clinoenstatite are bioactive ceramics that may be used for preparation of bone tissue engineering (BTE) scaffolds.
