Effect of epimedium-derived phytoestrogen on bone turnover and bone microarchitecture in OVX-induced osteoporotic rats

Use of Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Methods to Elucidate the Curative Effect of Epimedium–Anemarrhen on Osteoporosis

Objective: Using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods, this study aimed to elucidate the key targets and molecular mechanisms of the Epimedium–Anemarrhen (EA) combination as a therapeutic approach for osteoporosis (OP). Methods: The TCMSP database was used to identify effective active ingredients and information on targets of EA according to the ADME threshold. An OP target database was established using the GeneCards, OMIM, DrugBank, and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug targets and disease targets was used to identify common genes, and protein interaction network, GO function enrichment, and KEGG signal pathway enrichment analyses were performed. A molecular docking analysis of active pharmaceutical ingredients with core genes was also conducted. Results: The analysis identified 30 effective active ingredients in EA and 149 common genes. A total of 20 core genes were identified by constructing a protein–protein interaction network and calculating the network topology parameters. An enrichment analysis revealed that these targets were primarily involved in biological functions and processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and immunity. The signaling pathways associated with OP include the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in relation to diabetes complications, the IL-17 signaling pathway, and the TNF signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed stable affinity between the core genes and most of the key components. Conclusion: These data provide mechanistic insights into the pharmacological activity of EA in the treatment of OP and provide an essential theoretical basis for clinical practice.

Beneficial Role of Hydro-alcoholic Seed Extract of Trigonella foenum graecum on Bone Structure and Strength in Menopause Induced Osteopenia

Background

The current strategies to prevent and treat menopausal osteoporosis are hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, the long-term use of hormone replacement therapy is limited due to its side-effects. Alternately, use of phytoestrogens has been implicated. Trigonella foenum graecum (TFG) seeds are rich in phytoestrogen and known traditional medicine to treat menopause induced hyperlipidemia. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the role of dietary TFG seed extract on bone structure and mechanical properties in ovariectomized rats.

Methods

Twenty four female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups; 1) control, 2) ovariectomized, 3) ovariectomized + TFG seed extract and 4) ovariectomized + 17β-estradiol. TFG seed extract/17β-estradiol was administered for 30 days, 14 days after ovariectomy. After the treatment, right femora were collected to measure the length and biomechanical properties, and left femora were gathered to study the micro architectural changes while tibia were collected to measure the dry weight.

Results

Maximum flexor load to break femur bone was significantly low in ovariectomized rats in comparison with control rats (P<0.05). Supplementation with TFG significantly improved the maximum flexor load (P<0.05) and tibia dry weight (P<0.01) compared to ovariectomized untreated rats. TFG administration also significantly preserved the trabecular (P<0.01) and cortical bone (P<0.05) thickness compared to ovariectomized rats.

Conclusion

This study found that dietary intake of TFG seeds can improve the bone structure and biomechanical properties in ovariectomized rats indicating that TFG may be an alternative treatment strategy to prevent the menopause induced osteopenia.

Icariin promotes osteoblastic differentiation in OVX mice via MAPK signaling pathway revealed by profiling

Objective: Icariin (ICA), an extract from epimedium, has been reported to be effective in promoting bone formation. The objective of the study is to search for the molecular targets of ICA in bone mesenchymal stem cells (bMSCs) from the mice with ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis.

Methods: Six-month-old Imprinting Control Region (ICR) mice that underwent OVX were treated with ICA. After three months, bone mass was evaluated by microcomputed tomography, morphometry and immunohistological detection. bMSCs were isolated from the femur and tibia to observe the self-renewal and differentiation capacities using colony-forming unit fibroblastic (CFU-F), colony-forming unit adipocyte (CFU-Adipo) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining. In addition, microarray of bMSCs ex vivo was measured two weeks after ICA treatment and analyzed by heatmap and pathway analysis. The signaling pathway was further explored by western blot assay and inhibitors of p38 and ERK: SB203508 and PD98059.

Results: [Formula: see text]CT displayed a decrease in bone mass for three months after OVX. ICA treatment increased the trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), osteoblast number while decreased osteoclast number, elevating osteocalcin (OC) protein levels in vivo and facilitating the self-renewal and osteoblastic differentiation of bMSCs ex vivo. Microarray data indicated ICA rescued several gene expressions that were dysregulated by OVX. Pathway analysis revealed that the core genes acted by ICA were highly involved in MAPK signaling pathway. Further study demonstrated ICA suppressed ERK while stimulated p38 phosphorylation to promote osteoblastic differentiation in vitro.

Conclusion: ICA promotes osteoblastic differentiation of bMSCs in OVX mice. MAPK signaling pathway might be involved in the process.

Bone mass improved effect of icariin for postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomy-induced rats: a meta-analysis and systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Ovariectomy (OVX)-induced rats are the most frequently used animal model to research postmenopausal osteoporosis. Our objective was to summarize and critically assess the bone mass improved effect of icariin (ICA) for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in an OVX-induced rat model.

METHODS

The PUBMED, EMBASE, and Chinese databases were searched from their inception date to February 2015. Two reviewers independently selected animal studies that evaluated the bone mass improved effect of ICA compared with control in OVX-induced rats. Extracted data were analyzed by RevMan statistical software, and the methodological quality of each study was assessed.

RESULTS

Seven studies with adequate randomization were included in the systematic review. Overall, ICA seemed to significantly improve bone mass as assessed using the bone mineral density (seven studies, n = 169; weighted mean difference, 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01-0.02, I = 77%, P < 0.00001) using a random-effects model. There is no significant difference between ICA and estrogen (E) (six studies, n = 128; weighted mean difference, 0.00; 95% CI, -0.00 to 0.01, I = 54%, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Bone mass improved effect of ICA for postmenopausal osteoporosis was observed in OVX-induced rats. Assessment of the methodological quality of studies involving OVX-induced animal models is required, and good methodological quality should be valued in systematic reviews of animal studies.

Orthosiphon stamineus (Misai Kucing) ameliorated postmenopausal osteoporosis in rat model

OBJECTIVE

Orthosiphon stamineus (OS) or Misai Kucing (Java tea) is a popular herbal supplement from Southeast Asia for various metabolic, age-related diseases. This study investigated the potential use of OS leaf extracts to ameliorate osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.

METHODS

Fifty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into eight groups (n = 7): SHAM (healthy sham control); OVX (ovarietomized) nontreated rats (negative control); OVX + Remifemin (100 mg/kg body weight), and 2% green tea extract (positive controls); OVX + OS 50% ethanolic and aqueous extracts, both at either 150 or 300 mg/kg. After 16 weeks, the rats' bones and blood were evaluated for osteoporosis indicators (protein and mRNA expressions), micro-computed tomography for bone histomorphometry, and three-point bending test for tibia mechanical strength.

RESULTS

The extracts dose-dependently and significantly (P < 0.05) improved bone strength and flexibility, bone mineral density, bone formation protein markers (P1NP), and bone histomorphometry. All extracts reduced the inflammation biomarker (interleukin-6). The extracts up-regulated osteoblastogenesis (bone morphogenetic protein-2) and collagen-1 synthesis (collagen type 1 alpha-1) mRNA expressions, and down-regulated bone resorption (TNFSF11 and nuclear factor-kappa B) mRNA expressions. Both the water and 50% ethanolic extract were effective. The effective dose is equivalent to 25 to 50 mg/kg extract for humans.

CONCLUSIONS

The extract showed bone-protective and antiosteoporotic effects (improving bone strength, flexibility, bone density, and bone morphometry) by reducing inflammation and the bone resorption biomarkers, while enhancing bone formation biomarkers and collagen synthesis.

Effect of a derived herbal recipe from an ancient Chinese formula, Danggui Buxue Tang, on ovariectomized rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Radix Astragali (root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao, RA), Radix Angelicae sinensis (root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, RAS) and Folium Epimedii (leaves of Epimedium brevicomum Maxim., FE) are three of the extensively applied herbal remedies among traditional Chinese medicines for gynecological disorders and osteoporosis. A derivative herbal recipe-RRF, composed of the three medicines with a weight ratio of 5:1:5, is derived from a famous Chinese herbal formula-Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT). RRF has shown noteworthy protective effect in ovariectomized rats, which might represent a promising candidate for the treatment of perimenopausal disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the herbal recipe RRF for its efficacy on perimenopausal disorders and the underlying mechanisms via ovariectomy (OVX) models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An experimental model of OVX female rats was applied. Vehicle (Sham and OVX group), RRF (564, 282 and 141 mg/kg/d) and conjugated equine estrogens (CEE, 0.1mg/kg/d, reference drug) were all administrated orally once daily for 16 weeks post operation. After the treatment, radioimmunoassay for estradiol (E(2)), lutenizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and β-endorphin (β--EP), neurotransmitter determination by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detector (HPLC-ECD) for norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid), bone mineral density (BMD) assay as well as lipid peroxidation assessment, were carried out to probe into the effectiveness of RRF.

RESULTS

(1) RRF treatment enhanced E(2) synthese while diminished the elevated serum FSH and LH levels; in terms of neurotransmitter, β-EP syntheses rallied whereas the hypothalamic NE, DA and 5-HT release experienced varying mitigation in OVX female rats. (2) Repeated administration of RRF was able to attenuate osteoporosis by elevating the BMD levels of total body, and arrest the bone trabeculae degradation. (3) RRF exposure decreased serum levels of constituent MDA and increased endogenous SOD activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of the current studies revealed that RRF was capable of acting at multiple targets which presumably underlay its potential protective effect in OVX rats mimicking symptoms as observed in perimenopausal women. Hence, RRF might represent a promising candidate in the treatment of perimenopausal disorders in midlife women.