Eucommia Leaf Extract (ELE) Prevents OVX-Induced Osteoporosis and Obesity in Rats

Abstract

The cortex of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver is widely used to treat kidney deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine. Its leaves have recently been reported to have anti-obesity properties in metabolic syndrome-like rat models. Due to a sharp decline in estrogen production, obesity, together with osteoporosis, are common problems in postmenopausal women. In this study, we examined the potential effect of Eucommia leaf extract (ELE) in preventing osteoporosis and obesity induced by ovariectomy (OVX). Forty-six female Wistar rats were divided into six groups: Sham-Cont, OVX-Cont, and four OVX groups administered estradiol and different concentrations of ELE 1.25%, ELE 2.5%, and ELE 5%. Treatments were administered after ovariectomy at six weeks of age and continued for 12 weeks. OVX induced a significant decrease in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar, femora, and tibiae, together with a marked increase in body mass index (BMI). The administration of 5% ELE led to a significant increase in tibial and femoral BMD, as well as significantly increased bone-strength parameters when compared with OVX-Cont rats. According to the suppressed Dpd and increased osteocalcin concentrations in ELE 5% rats, we suggest that varying proportions of bone formation and bone absorption contributed to the enhanced BMD in the femora and tibiae. In addition, significant decreases in body weight, BMI and fat tissue in 5% ELE rats were also observed. These results suggest that ELE may have curative properties for BMD and BMI in OVX rats, and could provide an alternative therapy for the prevention of both postmenopausal osteoporosis and obesity.

Chronic administration of Eucommia leaf extract (ELE) and asperuloside(ASP), the major component of ELE, prevents adipocyte hypertrophy in white adipose tissues

“…Obesity is characterized as hypertrophy and proliferation of adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) [1,2]. Eucommia leaf extract (ELE) has been reported to have various bioactive properties [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11], such as anti-obesity effects [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Asperuloside (ASP) is indicated as the major ingredient of ELE; it contributes to its anti-obesity effect [8,11].…”

Aroma of Eucommia leaf extract (ELE) causes reduced locomotor activity and increased NREM sleep, acting like the partially related factors of oral ELE's effects with locomotor-activity-dependent-increase in NREM- and REM-sleep

“…The bark of E. ulmoides (Cortex Eucommia) has been traditionally used as an herbal medicine with analeptic, analgesic, sedative, antihypertensive, and diuretic effects in Japan, China, and Korea. In vitro and in vivo studies indicated that the compounds and extracts from Eucommia ulmoides have various pharmacological effects in treating hypertension [10][11][12][13], hyperlipidemia [14,15], diabetes [16], obesity [14,[17][18][19][20], osteoporosis [21][22][23][24][25][26], and lupus-like syndrome [27], and promoting neuroprotection [28,29] and immunoregulation [30]. E. ulmoides leaves and barks have the same iridoid and lignin compound components; therefore, the leaves have been used similarly as the bark, as tonic and antihypertensive.…”

Effect of Eucommia leaf extract on water consumption in rats is mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system

“…In recent years, the study of Eucommia leaf extract (ELE) has been focused on its efficacy in maintaining human health. Reports on the biogenic effectiveness of ELE ingestion have identified the following benefits: 1) antihyperlipidemic effects that reduce visceral fat and suppress elevated levels of triglyceride and cholesterol in the blood [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]; 2) effects on bone, such as preventing the onset of postmenopausal osteoporosis and promoting calcium accumulation in osteoblasts [8][9][10]; 3) antihypertensive effects that slowly decrease blood pressure by maintaining the flexibility of the blood vessels and promoting arterial smooth muscle relaxation [2,11]; 4) rapid eye movement sleep and non-rapid eye movement sleep inducing effect [12]; and 5) preventative effects on ulcerative colitis by asperuloside, one of the major components of ELE [13]. Thus, ELE promotes systemic health.…”