One in vitro study reported that formononetin had a positive effect on osteoblasts by increasing the expression of alkaline phosphatase, vascular endothelial growth factor, bone morphogenic protein-2, type I collagen, and osteocalcin in subchondral osteoblasts isolated from normal subjects, and by suppressing their expression in subchondral osteoblasts isolated from patients with arthritis. This evidence concerns the gene BGLAP and arthritic joint disease.