Bone-loss-related diseases, such as periodontitis, are characterized by an imbalance between the formation and activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, leading to bone loss. There are several signaling pathways that participate in the osteoclastogenesis process. Finding inhibitors of these pathways and other osteoclastogenesis-related pathways may have an effect on bone-loss diseases.
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), in collaboration with researchers at the University of Campinas, Brazil, have identified cinnamolyoxy-mammeisin (CNM), a 4-phenylcoumarin, which can be isolated from Brazilian geopropolis, as active against osteoclastogeneis pathways. CNM demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity and inhibition of oral bone loss in a mouse model of periodontitis.