[Progress in study on effect of harmine on bone and cartilage metabolism].

Harmine, a β-carboline alkaloid, is widely distributed in the plants, animals as well as in human tissues and body fluids. Harmine has various types of pharmacological activities including antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, antioxidative, antitumor, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, vasorelaxant and central excitation properties. Moreover, it can exert regenerative and protective effects on bone and cartilage tissues by regulating the proliferation, differentiation and metabolism of osteoclasts, osteoblasts and chondrocytes. These features make harmine a novel candidate for the prevention and treatment of bone and cartilage diseases, such as osteoporosis, bone fracture and osteoarthritis.