Benzylideneacetone Derivatives Inhibit Osteoclastogenesis and Activate Osteoblastogenesis Independently Based on Specific Structure-Activity Relationship.

()-3,4-Dihydroxybenzylideneacetone (compound ) inhibited receptor activator of NF-κB ligand-induced osteoclastogenesis of C57BL/6 bone marrow monocyte/macrophages with IC of 7.8 μM (IC of alendronate, 3.7 μM) while stimulating the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells, accompanied by the induction of Runt-related transcription factor 2, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin. ()-4-(3-Hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one (compound ) showed a dramatically increased osteoclast-inhibitory potency with IC of 0.11 μM while sustaining osteoblast-stimulatory activity. ()-4-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one (compound ) stimulated alkaline phosphatase production 2-fold at 50 μM without changing osteoclast-inhibitory activity, compared with compound . Oral administration of compounds , , and prevented ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in ddY mice to a degree proportional to their osteoclastogenesis-inhibitory potencies. The administration of 1 (mg/kg)/d compound ameliorated histomorphometry of osteoporotic bone to a degree comparable with 10 (mg/kg)/d alendronate. Conclusively, the in vitro capacity of a few benzylideneacetone derivatives to inhibit osteoclastogenesis supported by independent osteoblastogenesis activation was convincingly reflected in in vivo management of osteoporosis, suggesting a potential novel therapeutics for osteopenic diseases.