Risedronate increases osteoblastic differentiation and function through connexin43

► We investigated the effect of risedronate on osteoblast differentiation and Cx43. ► Risedronate dose-dependently increased ALP activity. ► Risedronate increased the activity of osterix, osteocalcin and BSP-luciferase. ► Risedronate increased transcriptional activity of the Cx43 promoter. ► Risedronate promotes osteoblastic differentiation and upregulates Cx43.