Linalool Promotes Osteoblast Differentiation via SELENBP1-Dependent Signaling in MC3T3-E1 and C3H10T1/2 Cells

Kyeong-Min Kim^1,2, A-Rang Kim^1,2, Won-Gu Jang^1,2,3,*
1 Department of Biotechnology, College of Engineering, Daegu University, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
2 Research Institute of Anti-Aging, Daegu University, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
3 Department of Health and Medical Information, College of Health and Biology, Daegu University, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
* Corresponding Author: Won-Gu Jang. Email: email
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Innovations in Musculoskeletal Biology, Disease, and Regeneration)

BIOCELL https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2026.077163

Received 03 December 2025; Accepted 11 March 2026; Published online 02 April 2026

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Abstract

Background: Linalool is a monoterpene alcohol with known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but its role in osteoblast differentiation remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the osteogenic potential of linalool and to examine the role of selenium-binding protein 1 (Selenbp1) in mediating its effects. Methods: Murine MC3T3-E1 and C3H10T1/2 cells were treated with linalool under osteogenic conditions. Osteoblast differentiation was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, Alizarin Red S staining, and expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and distal-less homeobox 5 (Dlx5). The involvement of Selenbp1 was examined using siRNA knockdown and plasmid overexpression. A zebrafish caudal fin regeneration model was used to evaluate in vivo relevance. Results: Linalool significantly enhanced osteoblast differentiation, as evidenced by increased ALP activity (approximately 3–4-fold vs. control, p < 0.01) and matrix mineralization (approximately 2.5–4-fold increase, p < 0.01). The osteogenic transcription factors Runx2 and Dlx5 were significantly upregulated following linalool treatment (p < 0.01). Linalool also markedly induced Selenbp1 expression, showing an approximately 4–5-fold increase in MC3T3-E1 cells and an approximately 8–9-fold increase in C3H10T1/2 cells (p < 0.01). Silencing Selenbp1 attenuated the linalool-induced upregulation of osteogenic markers, whereas its overexpression restored marker expression and enhanced cellular responsiveness to linalool. In vivo, linalool significantly increased zebrafish caudal fin regeneration by approximately 30–45% compared with the vehicle control (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Linalool promotes SELENBP1-dependent osteoblast differentiation in vitro and enhances caudal fin regeneration in vivo, although the involvement of SELENBP1 in the latter was not examined.