A Traditional Chinese Medicine Plant Extract Prevents Alcohol-Induced Osteopenia

Abstract

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been practiced in the treatment of bone diseases and alcoholism. Chronic excessive alcohol use results in alcohol-induced bone diseases, including osteopenia and osteoporosis, which increases fracture risk, deficient bone repair, and osteonecrosis. This preclinical study investigated the therapeutic effects of TCM herbal extracts in animal models of chronic excessive alcohol consumption-induced osteopenia. TCM herbal extracts (Jing extracts) were prepared from nine Chinese herbal medicines, a combinative herbal formula for antifatigue and immune regulation, including Astragalus, Cistanche deserticola, Dioscorea polystachya, Lycium barbarum, Epimedium, Cinnamomum cassia, Syzygium aromaticum, Angelica sinensis, and Curculigo orchioides. In this study, Balb/c male mice were orally administrated alcohol (3.2 g/kg/day) with/without TCM herbal extracts (0.125 g/kg, 0.25 g/kg, or 0.5 g/kg) by gavage. Our results showed that after 50 days of oral administration, TCM herbal extracts prevented alcohol-induced osteopenia demonstrated by μ-CT bone morphological analysis in young adults and middle-aged/old Balb/c male mice. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that chronic alcohol consumption inhibits bone formation and has a neutral impact on bone resorption, suggesting that TCM herbal extracts (Jing extracts) mitigate the alcohol-induced abnormal bone metabolism in middle-aged/old male mice. Protocatechuic acid, a natural phenolic acid in Jing extracts, mitigates in vivo alcohol-induced decline of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) gene expression in the bone marrow of Balb/c male mice and in vitro ALP activity in pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. Our study suggests that TCM herbal extracts prevent chronic excessive alcohol consumption-induced osteopenia in male mice, implying that traditional medicinal plants have the therapeutic potential of preventing alcohol-induced bone diseases.

Development and validation of a Chinese Drinking Expectancies Questionnaire for young adults: A Hong Kong study

“…These beliefs may be partly attributable to widely touted cardiovascular benefits of moderate drinking in the mass media and commonly held traditional Chinese medicine beliefs. These types of traditional Chinese medicine concepts (e.g., the 'warming' effects of alcohol on various organ systems, positive effects of alcohol on appetite) are deeply embedded in Chinese culture and exist alongside Western medicine concepts in Chinese populations [60,61]. A previously conducted Chinese survey found that 77% of the Chinese consumers cited 'health' reasons and 61% of the female respondents cited 'beauty' for drinking wine [58].…”

Lycium: Prospects of Application in Pharmacy of Plant Raw Materials Containing Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Polysaccharides and Other Biologically Active Substances of the <i>Solanaceae</i> Family Plants (Review)

“…Опрос среди 106 фитотерапевтов Израиля об использовании пасленовых в качестве лекарственных растений показал, что только четыре вида, среди которых встречается и дереза -Lycium europeaum, Solanum nigrum, Hyoscyamus aureus, Hyoscyamus albus, -широко используются в настоящее время [4]. Наглядным примером, свидетельствующим об эффективном и распространенном применении Lycium в медицине, является состав традиционного китайского медицинского экстракта (Traditional Chinese Medicine Plant Extract, TCME) для лечения алкоголь-зависимой остеопении, включающего ЛРС: Lycium barbarum, Astragalus, Cistanche deserticola, Dioscorea polystachya, Epimedium, Cinnamomum cassia, Syzygium aromaticum, Angelica sinensis, and Curculigo orchioides [5].…”

“…По состоянию на 2021 год нормативные документы на ЛРС растений Lycium barbarum L. и Lycium chinense Mill. представлены в фармакопеях Китая, Кореи, Японии, Великобритании и, как правило, вклю-чают разделы: название и описание, подлинность, чистота, количественное определение (таблица 1) 2,3,4,5,6 .…”

Bacteria-Loaded Gastro-Retention Oral Delivery System for Alcohol Abuse

“…It is well known that excessive alcohol use is a leading risk factor for a global burden of diseases, as well as a significant risk factor for severe health problems. − Therefore, the search for an effective way to reduce the harm of alcohol without abstinence is necessary. Until now, food, herbal medicines, and enzymes were selected as chasers to alleviate adverse effects after alcohol withdrawal. − However, the above administrations cannot reduce alcohol absorption at all in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract before entering the blood, and the dealcoholization effect is extremely limited. Bioconversion is an ideal strategy for utilizing alcohol directly in the GI tract. , Bacillus subtilis and Lactococcus lactis co-expressing alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase have been selected to alleviate acute alcoholic liver injury in mice. , The engineered bacteria, while useful, rely on the expression system and are vulnerable to the GI environment.…”