A Japanese herbal medicine, Chujo-to, has a beneficial effect on osteoporosis in rats

Abstract

The inhibitory effects of a Japanese herbal medicine, Chujo‐to, on the progress of bone loss induced by ovariectomy in rats were investigated. Ovariectomized rats were administered with Chujo‐to during weeks 7–14 after ovariectomy. At 14 weeks, the bone mineral density of the tibia from ovariectomized (OVX) rats had decreased by 27% compared with those in the sham‐operated rats, and by a 18%–21% and 16% decrease after the administration of Chujo‐to and 17β‐oestradiol, respectively. The surface of a trabecular bone of the tibia in ovariectomized rats had a porous and fibrous appearance, while that of the same bone in sham‐operated rats was composed of fine particles. After the administration of Chujo‐to or 17β‒oestradiol, the surface of trabecular bone maintained the porous and fibrous appearance. The uterine weight was not restored by Chujo‐to but by 17β‐oestradiol. These results suggest that Chujo‐to has an efficacy on the osteoporosis of rats similar to 17β‐oestradiol, but with a different mechanism.­ Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Alterations in the periodontium after ovariectomy in rats: the effects of a Japanese herbal medicine, Chujo‐to

“…Longitudinal sections from the left mandible were made as described below. The uterus of each rat was dissected out and was weighed (Hidaka et al, 1999).…”

“…These herbal medicines and the Chinese traditional (Kampo) medicines (Hidaka et al, 1997;1999;Xiu, 1988) are known to have low toxicity, and therefore, they may be more advantageous in a longer term medication than synthetic agents. Our study shows that Chujo-to, which has been traditionally used for Abbreviations see Table 2.…”

“…Extracts of Chujo-to (3.47% w/w) were prepared by immersing one package (average dry weight 12.5 g/package) in 360 mL distilled water at 100°C for 5 min. The package was removed and the liquid was cooled and stored frozen at À20°C (Hidaka et al, 1995;1999).…”

“…It has been suggested that the effectiveness on low back pain seems to correspond to its efficacy in treating osteoporosis (Koyama, 1991). It has been reported that Chujo-to is effective both in preventing and healing the tibial bone loss induced by ovariectomy in rats (Hidaka et al, 1995;1999) As an extension of our previous investigation, we present data on the effect of Chujo-to on both the bone mineral content of the mandible and the periodontium in ovariectomized rats.…”

Bone regenerative effect of aqueous Cynanchum wilfordii extract in receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced osteoclast differentiation and estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis

“…One day following the final treatment, the animals were euthanized by exsanguination, the uteri were dissected out, and then weighed immediately [22]. The right femurs were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 24 h and then decalcified in 10% EDTA at 4°C for 4 weeks.…”