A review of botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and applications of the herb with the homology of medicine and food: Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton

Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton is an outstanding herb with the homology of medicine and food. Its ripe fruits are traditionally used as an important tonic for kidneys and liver in China. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton is rich in nutritional components and a variety of bioactive ingredients. A total of 206 compounds have been isolated and identified, they mainly include flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, iridoid glycosides, and triterpenoids. These compounds exert anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, liver protective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton has been traditionally used to treat many complex diseases, including osteoporotic bone pain, rheumatic bone, cancer, related aging symptoms, and so on. In the 2020 Edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, there are more than 100 prescriptions containing L. lucidum W.T. Aiton. Among them, some classical preparations including Er Zhi Wan and Zhenqi fuzheng formula, are used in the treatment of various cancers with good therapeutic effects. Additionally, L. lucidum W.T. Aiton has also many excellent applications for functional food, ornamental plants, bioindicator of air pollution, algicidal agents, and feed additives. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton has rich plant resources. However, the application potential of it has not been fully exploited. We hope that this paper provides a theoretical basis for the high-value and high-connotation development of L. lucidum W.T. Aiton in the future.

Calycosin ameliorates osteoarthritis by regulating the imbalance between chondrocyte synthesis and catabolism

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a severe chronic inflammatory disease. As the main active component of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, a classic traditional ethnic herb, calycosin exhibits anti-inflammatory action and its mechanism of exact targets for OA have yet to be determined. In this study, we established an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) mouse model. Mice were randomized to sham, OA, and calycosin groups. Cartilage synthesis markers type II collagen (Col-2) and SRY-Box Transcription Factor 9 (Sox-9) increased significantly after calycosin gavage. While cartilage matrix degradation index cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), phosphor-epidermal growth factor receptor (p-EGFR), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) expression were decreased. With the help of network pharmacology and molecular docking, these results were confirmed in chondrocyte ADTC5 cells. Our results indicated that the calycosin treatment significantly improved cartilage damage, this was probably attributed to reversing the imbalance between chondrocyte synthesis and catabolism.

The Role of Herbal Medicine in Modulating Bone Homeostasis

Osteoporosis and other bone diseases are a major public health concern worldwide. Current pharmaceutical treatments for bone disorders have limitations, driving interest in complementary herbal medicines that can help maintain bone health. This review summarizes the scientific evidence for medicinal herbs that modulate bone cell activity and improve bone mass, quality and strength. Herbs with osteogenic, anti-osteoporotic, and anti-osteoclastic effects are discussed, including compounds and mechanisms of action. Additionally, this review examines the challenges and future directions for translational research on herbal medicines for osteoporosis and bone health. While preliminary research indicates beneficial bone bioactivities for various herbs, rigorous clinical trials are still needed to verify therapeutic efficacy and safety. Further studies should also elucidate synergistic combinations, bioavailability of active phytochemicals, and precision approaches to match optimal herbs with specific etiologies of bone disease. Advancing evidence- based herbal medicines may provide novel alternatives for promoting bone homeostasis and treating skeletal disorders.

Skeletal impairment in Pierson syndrome: Is there a role for lamininβ2 in bone physiology?

INTRODUCTION

Pierson syndrome is caused by a mutation of LAMB2, encoding for laminin β2. Clinical phenotype is variable but usually associates congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) and ocular abnormalities. Neuromuscular impairment has also been described.

METHODS

We report on a 15-year old girl, suffering from Pierson Syndrome, who developed severe bone deformations during puberty. This patient initially displayed CNS and microcoria, leading to the clinical diagnosis of Pierson syndrome. Genetic analysis revealed a truncating mutation and a splice site mutation of LAMB2. The patient received a renal transplantation (R-Tx) at the age of 3. After R-Tx, renal evolution was simple, the patient receiving low-dose corticosteroids, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. At the age of 12, bone deformations progressively appeared. At the time of bone impairment, renal function was subnormal (glomerular filtration rate using iohexol clearance 50mL/min per 1.73m²), and parameters of calcium/phosphate metabolism were normal (calcium 2.45mmol/L, phosphorus 1.30mmol/L, PTH 81ng/L, ALP 334U/L, 25OH-D 73nmol/L). Radiographs showed major deformations such as scoliosis, genu varum and diffuse epiphyseal abnormalities. A high resolution scanner (HR-pQCT) was performed, demonstrating a bone of "normal low" quantity and quality; major radial and cubital deformations were observed. Stainings of laminin β2 were performed on bone and renal samples from the patient and healthy controls: as expected, laminin β2 was expressed in the control kidney but not in the patient's renal tissue, and a similar pattern was observed in bone.

CONCLUSION

This is the first case of skeletal impairment ever described in Pierson syndrome. Integrin α3β1, receptor for laminin β2, are found in podocytes and osteoblasts, and the observation of both the presence of laminin β2 staining in healthy bone and its absence in the patient's bone raises the question of a potential role of laminin β2 in bone physiology.

Effects of traditional Chinese medicine on bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dipsacus asper Wall (Dipsacaceae), Salvia miltiorrhiza (Salvia) and Drynaria fortunei (Drynaria) have been traditionally used in Chinese medicine as the main ingredient of many formulations for the treatment of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Dipsacaceae, Salvia and Drynaria on bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM).

SETTING

This study was conducted in School of Stomatology, Shandong University between 2009 and 2010 [Jinan, Shandong, China].

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-six eight-week-old female SPF Wistar rats 180-200 g were selected and randomly divided into four groups of 24: Dipsacaceae group, Salvia group, Drynaria group and control group. Animal models for orthodontic tooth movement were then established which consisted of a closed coil spring ligated to the upper first molar and incisors, exerting a force of 40 g during the experimental period. Rats in the TCM groups were given Dipsacaceae, Salvia and Drynaria decoction respectively by intragastric administration 6 g/kg/day and the control group were given normal saline 3 ml. The rats were sacrificed in batch on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days after orthodontic treatment. Slices from periodontium of the upper first molar were observed under optical microscope. Neovascularization, new bone formation and osteoclast number were observed.

RESULTS

The upper first molars were drawn mesial by the force. Telangiectasia and new bone formation in periodontal tissue were significantly in the TCM groups compared with the control group. Application of orthodontic forces in the experimental teeth showed a significant increase (P<0.05) of osteoclast number in the TCM group when compared with the control group. In addition, the number of osteoclast had no significant differences among the TCM groups (P>0.05). Osteoclast number in the TCM group and the control group were 10.12±0.058, 10.13±0.022, 10.09±0.047 and 9.55±0.045, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the TCM decoction are beneficial to the alveolar bone remodeling by promoting osteoclast differentiation during OTM.