Anti-osteoporotic effect of Erythrina variegata L. in ovariectomized rats

J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Jan 3;109(1):165-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2006.07.005. Epub 2006 Jul 11.

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate whether Erythrina variegata L. (EV), which belongs to the leguminous family, exerted any beneficial effects on bone in ovariectomized rats. Daily oral administration of the EV extract at 300 and 600 mg/kg for 14 weeks to rats prevented the OVX-induced increase in the serum OCN, ALP, and urinary DPD levels. Histomorphometric analysis of the proximal end of the tibia showed that the EV extract prevented the estrogen deficiency-induced decrease in trabecular thickness and trabecular area, as well as restoring the increase in trabecular separation in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the EV extract improved the energy absorption and stiffness of the mid-shaft of the rat femur. Thus, the present study clearly demonstrated that EV could suppress the high rate of bone turnover induced by estrogen deficiency, inhibit bone loss and improve the biomechanical properties of bone in the OVX rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism
  • Bone and Bones / pathology
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Erythrina / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Femur / drug effects
  • Femur / physiology
  • Genistein / blood
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Osteoporosis / pathology
  • Osteoporosis / prevention & control*
  • Ovariectomy*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Bark / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Tibia / drug effects
  • Tibia / physiology
  • Uterus / drug effects

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Genistein