Opuntia humifusa supplementation increased bone density by regulating parathyroid hormone and osteocalcin in male growing rats

Plant-derived natural medicines for the management of osteoporosis: A comprehensive review of clinical trials

Background

Osteoporosis is a chronic and systemic skeletal disease that is defined by low bone mineral density (BMD) along with an increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. This study aimed to overview clinical evidence on the use of herbal medicine for management of osteoporosis.

Methods

Electronic databases including Pubmed, Medline, Cochrane library, and Scopus were searched until November 2022 for any clinical studies on the efficacy and/or safety of plant-derived medicines in the management of osteoporosis.

Results

The search yielded 57 results: 19 on single herbs, 16 on multi-component herbal preparations, and 22 on plant-derived secondary metabolites. Risk of fracture, bone alkaline phosphatase, BMD, and specific bone biomarkers are investigated outcomes in these studies. Medicinal plants including Acanthopanax senticosus, Actaea racemosa, Allium cepa, Asparagus racemosus, Camellia sinensis, Cissus quadrangularis, Cornus mas, Nigella sativa, Olea europaea, Opuntia ficus-indica, Pinus pinaster, Trifolium pretense and phytochemicals including isoflavones, ginsenoside, Epimedium prenyl flavonoids, tocotrienols are among plant-derived medicines clinically investigated on osteoporosis. It seems that multi-component herbal preparations were more effective than single-component ones; because of the synergistic effects of their constituents. The investigated herbal medicines demonstrated their promising results in osteoporosis via targeting different pathways in bone metabolism, including balancing osteoblasts and osteoclasts, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and estrogen-like functions.

Conclusion

It seems that plant-derived medicines have beneficial effects on bone and may manage osteoporosis by affecting different targets and pathways involved in osteoporosis; However, Future studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of these preparations.

Effects of Opuntia ficus-indica in the diet of primiparous sows on the metabolic profile during late gestation and lactation and feed intake during lactation

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Opuntia ficus-indica L. (OFI) on the metabolic profile of primiparous sows during late gestation and lactation, and its impact on voluntary feed intake (VFI) during lactation. From day 85 of gestation to weaning, 32 sows were divided into four feeding schemes (n = 8 sows/scheme): Basal diet (BD) without OFI supplementation; Test scheme I, BD during gestation and BD + OFI during lactation; Test scheme II, BD + OFI during both gestation and lactation, and Test scheme III, BD + OFI during gestation and BD during lactation. Blood samples were obtained during gestation (day 85 and 100) and lactation (day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21) to determine plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides, leptin, osteocalcin, ghrelin and agouti-related protein (AgRP). VFI was higher (20% higher than that of controls) in sows that received dietary OFI during lactation (p < .05). The concentration of plasma glucose was lower in sows that consumed OFI than sows fed the conventional diet (p < .05). Plasma insulin concentrations were higher in sows that consumed OFI, than in sows that did not (p < .05). Triglyceride concentrations during gestation, farrowing and lactation were also lower in sows that consumed OFI (p < .05). OFI intake caused lower plasma concentrations of leptin during lactation (p < .05). Osteocalcin was higher in sows that consumed OFI versus controls (p < .05): 8.6% and 13.4% during gestation and lactation respectively. From day 3 of lactation, sows that consumed OFI had higher concentrations of ghrelin (p < .05). The concentration of plasma AgRP was higher (p < .05) in sows that consumed OFI versus controls: 3.1% and 14.2% in gestation and lactation respectively. We concluded that OFI intake by primiparous sows during late gestation and lactation favourably modulated the factors that caused insulin resistance and increased sow performance.

A Review on Opuntia Species and its Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology and Bioapplications

Background:

Opuntia species, locally known as prickly pear was used for various purposes as food, medicine, beverage, source of dye and animal food. Many studies have revealed its pharmacology activity from time to time. This review is a collection of chemistry, pharmacognosy, pharmacology and bioapplications of the cactus family.

Methods:

Many sources were used to collect information about Opuntia species such as Pub med, Google scholar, Agris, science direct, Embase, Merk index, Wiley online library, books and other reliable sources. This review contains studies from 1812 to 2019.

Results:

The plants from the cactus family offer various pharmacological active compounds including phenolic compounds, carotenoids, betalains, vitamins, steroids, sugar, amino acids, minerals and fibers. These bioactive compounds serve various pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antiviral, anti-diabetic, Neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antiulcer and alcohol hangover. According to various studies, Opuntia species offer many bioapplications such as fodder for animal, soil erosion, prevention, human consumption and waste water decontamination. Finally, different parts of plants are used in various formulations that offer many biotechnology applications.

Conclusion:

Different parts of Opuntia plant (fruits, seeds, flowers and cladodes) are used in various health problems which include wound healing, anti-inflammatory and urinary tract infection from ancient times. Nowadays, researches have extended several pharmacological and therapeutic uses of Opuntia species as discussed in this review. Many in-vitro and in-vivo models are also discussed in this review as the proofs of research findings. Various research gaps have been observed in current studies that require attention in the future.

The effect of dietary magnesium and caseinphosphopeptides on bone metabolism in rats

The effect of dietary magnesium (Mg) or caseinphosphopeptides (CPPs) on bone metabolism has been reported. However, few studies have investigated the effects of simultaneous supplementation of Mg and CPPs. Sixty-three 3-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into seven groups and fed a specified diet for 45 days. Body characteristics, bone physicochemical indicators, and bone metabolism indicators relative to bone metabolism were analyzed. We found that, first, a dietary Mg deficiency resulted in increased bone formation and decreased bone resorption. Second, dietary Mg or CPP supplementation promoted bone formation and prevented bone resorption. Third, dietary Mg supplementation with CPPs also functioned to enhance bone formation and prevent bone resorption. There were synergistic effects on femur length, serum parathyroid hormone level and urinary deoxypyridinoline of the HS-Mg-CPP group (0.2% Mg, 0.1% CPPs). The increase in the femur length of the HS-Mg-CPP group compared with the control group was 6% which was much higher than that of HS-Mg (1%) or CPPs (5%). The induction in serum parathyroid hormone content in the HS-Mg-CPP group was 33% compared with the control group which was higher than that of the induction of the HS-Mg (19%) or CPP (23%) group. The induction in the deoxypyridinoline content of the HS-Mg-CPP (43%) group compared with the control group was remarkably higher than that of HS-Mg (8%) or CPPs (16%). Overall our results demonstrated that high doses of Mg (0.2%) and CPPs (0.1%) in combination produced synergistic effects on femur length, serum parathyroid hormone level and urinary deoxypyridinoline in rats, which is important for a better understanding of the effect of Mg and CPPs on bone metabolism.

Opuntia humifusa modulates morphological changes characteristic of asthma via IL-4 and IL-13 in an asthma murine model

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary disease that affects an estimated 235 million people worldwide, but asthma drugs have many adverse effects. Opuntia humifusa (eastern prickly pear) has been used as a food and traditional medicine worldwide; however, its anti-asthmatic effects have not been reported. We evaluated O. humifusa as a potential therapeutic or preventive component of anti-asthmatic drugs. We divided ovalbumin-sensitized mice into the following groups: normal control, asthma-induced control, dexamethasone-treated group (positive control), 50 mg/kg O. humifusa-treated group, 100 mg/kg O. humifusa-treated group, and 500 mg/kg O. humifusa-treated group. Levels of Th1/Th2/Th17-related cytokines were evaluated using RT-PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. O. humifusa dose-dependently suppressed the morphological changes typically observed in asthma, such as goblet cell hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, mucous hypersecretion, and relative basement membrane thickening in the respiratory system. These results may be attributable to regulation of Th1-/Th2-/Th17-related factors, especially interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. We conclude that O. humifusa is a potential anti-asthmatic functional food.

Abbreviations: O. humifusa: Opuntia humifusa; Th: helper T; RT-PCR: real-time polymerase chain reaction; ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IL: interleukin; WHO: World Health Organization; IFN-γ: interferon gamma; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-alpha; IgE: immunoglobulin E; CD: cluster of differentiation; OVA: ovalbumin; DEX: dexamethasone; BALF: bronchoalveolar fluid; H&E: hematoxylin and eosin; PAS: periodic acid-schiff; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; BM: basement membrane; cDNA: complementary deoxyribonucleic acid; RNA: ribo nucleic acid; RIPA: radioimmunoprecipitation assay; IHC: immunohistochemistry; HPLC: high-performance liquid chromatography; SD: standard deviation; WBC: white blood cells; APCs: antigen-presenting cells

Equol, a Metabolite of Daidzein, Is More Efficient than Daidzein for Bone Formation in Growing Female Rats

Few studies have examined the effects of isoflavones and particularly equol, a metabolite of the isoflavone daidzein, on bone formation during the growth period in animals. The present study investigated the effects of orally administered daidzein or equol on bone formation and bone mineral density in growing female rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 3 weeks, were divided into four groups (n = 8 per group) as follows: rats were orally administered a corn oil, 8 mg/day of daidzein, 4 mg/day of equol or 8 mg/day of equol in corn oil for 4 weeks. Daidzein and equol increased the bone mineral density of growing female rats by stimulating bone formation without exhibiting a substantial effect on the weight of their reproductive organs. Bone growth caused by increased bone mineralizing surface and bone formation rate in rats administered with equol was approximately twice that of rats administered with daidzein. These results suggest that equol might be more efficient than daidzein for bone formation in growing female rats. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Supplementing with Opuntia ficus-indica Mill and Dioscorea nipponica Makino extracts synergistically attenuates menopausal symptoms in estrogen-deficient rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Prickly pear cactus grown in Korea (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill, KC) and Buchema (Dioscorea nipponica Makino, B) have been traditionally used in East Asia and South America to treat various metabolic diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the extracts of KC, B, and KC+B can prevent the impairments of energy, glucose, lipid and bone homeostasis in estrogen-deficient ovariectomized (OVX) rats and to explore their mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

OVX rats were divided into 4 groups and fed high fat diets supplemented with either 3% dextrin (control), 3% KC, 3% B or 1.5% KC+1.5% B. Sham rats were fed 3% dextrin. After 12 weeks of diet consumption, energy, lipid, glucose and bone metabolisms were analyzed and Wnt signaling in the femur and hepatic signaling were determined.

RESULTS

OVX impaired energy, glucose and lipid metabolism and decreased uterine and bone masses. B and KC+B prevented the decrease in energy expenditure, especially from fat oxidation, in OVX rats, but did not affect food intake. KC+B and B reduced body weight and visceral fat levels, as compared to the OVX-control, by decreasing fat synthesis and inhibiting FAS and SREBP-1c expression. KC+B and B prevented the increases in serum lipid levels and insulin resistance by improving hepatic insulin signaling (pIRS→pAkt→pGSK-3β). KC and KC+B also prevented decreases in bone mineral density (BMD) in the femur and lumbar spine in OVX rats. This was related to decreased expressions of bone turnover markers such as serum osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bone-specific ALP levels, and increased serum P levels. KC and KC+B upregulated low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 and β-catenin in OVX rats, but suppressed the expression of dickkopf-related protein 1. B alone improved energy, lipid and glucose homeostasis, but not bone loss, whereas KC alone enhanced BMD, but not energy, lipid or glucose homeostasis.

CONCLUSION

KC+B synergistically attenuated impairments of bone, energy, lipid and glucose metabolism by OVX, suggesting potential efficacy of the combination for alleviating menopausal symptoms.

Effect of Opuntia humifusa supplementation and acute exercise on insulin sensitivity and associations with PPAR-γ and PGC-1α protein expression in skeletal muscle of rats

This study examined whether Opuntia humifusa (O. humifusa), which is a member of the Cactaceae family, supplementation and acute swimming exercise affect insulin sensitivity and associations with PPAR-γ and PGC-1α protein expression in rats. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups (HS: high fat diet sedentary group, n = 8; HE: high fat diet acute exercise group, n = 8; OS: 5% O. humifusa supplemented high fat diet sedentary group, n = 8; OE: 5% O. humifusa supplemented high fat diet acute exercise group, n = 8). Rats in the HE and OE swam for 120 min. before being sacrificed. Our results indicated that serum glucose level, fasting insulin level and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in OS were significantly lower compared to those of the HS (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.05). In addition, PPAR-γ protein expression in the OS and OE was significantly higher than that of the HS and HE, respectively (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). PGC-1α and GLUT-4 protein expressions in the OS were significantly higher compared to those of the HS (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). From these results, O. humifusa supplementation might play an important role for improving insulin sensitivity through elevation of PPAR-γ, PGC-1α, and GLUT-4 protein expression in rat skeletal muscle.