Abstract

N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMA) is a water-miscible solvent, FDA approved as excipient and therefore widely used as drug-delivery vehicle. As such, DMA should be devoid of any bioactivity. Here we report that DMA is epigenetically active since it binds bromodomains and inhibits osteoclastogenesis and inflammation. Moreover, DMA enhances bone regeneration in vivo. Therefore, our in vivo and in vitro data reveal DMA’s potential as an anti-osteoporotic agent via the inhibition of osteoclast mediated bone resorption and enhanced bone regeneration. Our results highlight the potential therapeutic benefits of DMA and the need for reconsideration of previous reports where DMA was used as an ‘inactive’ drug-delivery vehicle.