Antiosteoporotic Activity of Saururus chinensis Extract in Ovariectomized Rats

Preventive Effects of Chrysanthemum coronarium L. Extract on Bone Metabolism In Vitro and In Vivo

Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone mass and bone microarchitectural failure, leading to an enhanced risk of bone fractures. Chrysanthemum coronarium L. (CC) is a natural plant with powerful antioxidant activity. This study investigated the antiosteoporotic effects of CC extracts in in vitro cell cultures and in vivo bone loss animal models. CC stimulated osteoblast differentiation and mineralized bone formation by osteoblasts by increasing the expression of bone formation markers (alkaline phosphatase, osteoprotegerin, and osteoprotegerin/receptor activator nuclear factor-κB ligand ratio) in the murine preosteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1. Additionally, CC was found to inhibit osteoclast differentiation by downregulating bone resorption markers (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, cathepsin K, dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein, and calcitonin receptor) in the murine macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7. CC prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss, preserved trabecular microarchitecture, and improved serum bone turnover markers in an osteoporotic mouse model. These findings suggest that CC extract may be considered as a natural therapeutic or preventive agent for osteoporotic bone loss.

A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Properties of the Genus Saururus

The genus Saururus, belonging to Saururaceae, contains two species, S. cernuus L. and S. chinensis (Lour) Baill. with common utilization in traditional medicine from Asia to North America for the treatment of edema, beriberi, jaundice, leucorrhea, urinary tract infections, hypertension, hepatitis diseases, and tumors. An extensive review of literature was made on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and ethnopharmacology of Saururus using ethno-botanical books, published articles, and electronic databases. The 147 of chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from S. cernuus and S. chinensis, and lignans, flavonoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponins, and phenols are the major constituents. Various pharmacological investigations in many in vitro and in vivo models have revealed the potential of the genus Saururus with anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective, antimelanogenic, lipid-lowering, and bone protective activities, supporting the rationale behind numerous of its traditional uses. Due to the noteworthy pharmacological properties, Saururus can be a better option for new drug discovery. Data regarding many aspects of this plant such as toxicology, pharmacokinetics, quality-control measures, and the clinical value of the active compounds is still limited which call for additional studies.

Effects of vitamin D2-fortified shiitake mushroom on bioavailability and bone structure

Bioavailability and bone loss inhibitory effects of vitamin D₂ derived from UV-irradiated shiitake mushroom were determined in vivo. The effect of the absence of ovaries on the bioavailability of vitamin D₂ and bone structure was also investigated. Sham operated (sham) and ovariectomized (OVX) rats were divided in 3 groups according to their diets, i.e. control: only vitamin D-deficient diets; UV(X): vitamin D-deficient diets with non-irradiated mushroom powder; UV(O): vitamin D-deficient diets with irradiated mushroom powder. The obtained results showed that vitamin D₂ from shiitake mushroom was able to increase bone mineral density and trabecular bone structure of femur bone as well as its bioavailability. The absence of estrogen induced adverse effects not only on bioavailability of vitamin D₂ but also on trabecular bone. In conclusion, vitamin D₂-fortified shiitake mushroom might help postmenopausal women increase vitamin D₂ bioavailability and retard trabecular bone loss. Abbreviations: OVX: ovariectomized; 25(OH)D: 25-hydroxyvitamin D; 1,25(OH)2D: 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D; BMD: bone mineral density; micro-CT: micro computed tomography; RSM: response surface methodology; RP-HPLC: Reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography; MS/MS: tandem mass spectrometry; E2: estradiol; NTx: N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen; BV/TV: bone volume/total volume; BS/BV: bone surface/bone volume; Tb.Th: trabecular thickness; Tb.Sp: trabecular separation.

Anti-climacterium effects of pomegranate concentrated solutions in ovariectomized ddY mice

In the present study, the complex anti-climacterium potential of standardized pomegranate concentrated solution (PCS) was investigated using bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) female ddY mice. Changes in body weight and gain during experimental periods, food consumption, serum estradiol levels, total body and abdominal fat densities, abdominal fat pads, and uterus weights were observed, along with the histopathology of abdominal fat pads and uterus for anti-obesity and estrogenic effects. In addition, liver weights, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and histopathological inspections were performed to explore the hepato-protective effects. Serum total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein, and triglyceride (TG) levels were monitored for hypolipidemic effects with total body and femur mean bone mineral density (BMD), right femur wet, dry and ash weights, strength, serum osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP) contents, and histological and histomorphometrical analyses for anti-osteoporosis activity. As a result of OVX, notable increases in body weight and gains, food consumption, abdominal fat mass densities, weights of abdominal fat pads deposited in the abdominal cavity, and serum AST, ALT, TC, LDL, TG, and osteocalcin levels were observed, along with decreases in the uterus, liver, and femur weights, mean total body and femur BMD, femur strength, serum bALP, and estradiol levels. In addition, marked hypertrophic alterations in adipocytes located in the deposited abdominal fat pads, liver steatosis, uterine disused atrophic changes, and decreases in bone mass and structures of the femur were also observed in OVX control mice with significant increases in bone resorption markers based on histopathological and histomorphometrical analysis. However, these estrogen-deficient climacterium symptoms were significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01) inhibited after 84 days of continuous treatment with estradiol and PCS (1, 2 and 4 ml/kg), respectively. The present results suggested that PCS was able to effectively inhibit or refine the climacterium symptoms, including obesity, hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and osteoporosis, induced by OVX in ddY mice.

Effects of Hot Water Extracts from Polygonum multiflorum on Ovariectomy Induced Osteopenia in Mice

Polygonum multiflorum (PM), a traditional Chinese medicine, is used to treat various diseases including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hyperlipidemia. However, the influence of PM on osteoporosis in animals is unclear. The present study investigated the antiosteoporotic effect of PM on bone mass in ovariectomized (OVX) mice and its possible mechanism of action. Twenty-five female C3H/HeN mice were divided into five groups of five mice as follows. Sham-operated control mice received daily oral gavage of an equal volume of water, and OVX mice received daily oral gavage of water or an injection of β-estradiol or PM for 6 weeks. Administration of PM significantly suppressed body weight and organs weight and increased weight and length of bone compared with the OVX group. Treatment with PM reversed osteopenia in OVX mice, thereby improving the bone morphometric parameters. Moreover, histological analysis using hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that PM inhibited OVX-induced bone loss. Serum estradiol and bone alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly decreased in the OVX group, with the levels increasing with PM treatment. In addition, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity was inhibited by PM in OVX mice. These results suggest that PM is effective in preventing bone loss in OVX mice.

Determination of manassantin B in rat plasma using a high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and its quantitative application to pharmacokinetic study

A simple, sensitive, rapid, and reproducible analytical method of manassantin B in rat plasma by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FL) was developed for its application to pharmacokinetic study in rats. Valsartan (VST) was used as an internal standard (IS) in this quantitative analytical method. Manassantin B and VST were extracted by simple and efficient protein precipitation method. Manassantin B was detected at 282/322nm (excitation/emission) wavelengths using FL detector. The chromatographic separation was obtained with reverse phase C18 column and the mobile phase composed of potassium phosphate buffer containing 0.025% trifluoroacetic acid (pH 2.5; 5mM) and acetonitrile including 0.025% trifluoroacetic acid (20:80, v/v) at 1.0mL/min flow rate. The linearity was established at 25.0-10000ng/mL and the lower limit of detection (LLOD) was 7ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision values of manassantin B were within±15% of the theroretical values and <9% from the nominal concentrations, respectively. Accuracy and precision values of manassantin B after stability tests were also within the acceptable ranges. Developed assay was also successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study after intravenous administration of manassantin B in rats.

In vitro and in vivo Bone-Forming Activity of Saururus chinensis Extract

Bone is maintained by osteoclast-mediated resorption and osteoblast-mediated formation. Recently, anti-osteoporotic activity of Saururus chinensis extract (SCE) and anti-osteoclastogenic activity of its components have been reported, but the effect of SCE on bone formation has not been studied well. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether Saururus chinensis SCE exhibits in vitro osteogenic and in vivo bone-forming activity. extract strongly enhanced the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2-stimulated induction of alkaline phosphatase, an early phase biomarker of osteoblast differentiation, in bi-potential mesenchymal progenitor C2C12 cells. In vitro osteogenic activity of SCE was accompanied by enhanced expression of BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-7 and BMP-9 mRNA. In addition, a pharmacological inhibition study suggested the involvement of p38 activation in the osteogenic action of SCE. Moreover, the BMP dependency and the involvement of p38 activation in the osteogenic action of SCE were confirmed by the treatment of noggin, an antagonist of BMP. Saururus chinensis extract also exhibited to induce runt-related transcription factor 2 activation at the high concentration. Furthermore, the in vivo osteogenic activity of SCE was confirmed in zebrafish and mouse calvarial bone formation models, suggesting the possibility of its use for bone formation. In conclusion, we suggested that in vivo anti-osteoporotic activity of SCE could be because of its dual action in bone, anti-osteoclastogenic and anabolic activity.

The phytoestrogenic compound cajanol from Pigeonpea roots is associated with the activation of estrogen receptor α-dependent signaling pathway in human prostate cancer cells

In the present study, the main natural estrogen-agonist/antagonist from Pigeonpea roots was studied by the estrogen receptor α-dependent signaling pathway in human prostate cancer cell. First, the natural products with estrogenic activity in Pigeonpea roots were screened by pER8-GFP transgenic Arabidopsis, and cajanol (5-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl)-7-methoxychroman-4-one) was confirmed as the active compound. Further study showed that cajanol significantly arrested the cell cycle in the G1 and G2/M phase and induced nuclei condensation, fragmentation and the formation of apoptotic bodies. Western blotting showed that cajanol modulated the ERα-dependent PI3K pathway and induced the activation of GSK3 and CyclinD1 closely following the profile of PI3K activity. Based on above results, we proposed a mechanism through which cajanol could inhibit survival and proliferation of estrogen-responsive cells (PC-3 cells) by interfering with an ERα-associated PI3K pathway, following a process that could be dependent of the nuclear functions of the ERα. Above all, we conclude that cajanol represents a valuable natural phytoestrogen source and may potentially be applicable in health food industry.