Evolving Roles of Natural Terpenoids From Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Osteoporosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic metabolic skeletal disease which can lead to reduction in bone mass and increased risk of bone fracture due to the microstructural degradation. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been applied in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis for a long time. Terpenoids, a class of natural products that are rich in TCM, have been widely studied for their therapeutic efficacy on bone resorption, osteogenesis, and concomitant inflammation. Terpenoids can be classified in four categories by structures, monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, and triterpenoids. In this review, we comprehensively summarize all the currently known TCM-derived terpenoids in the treatment of OP. In addition, we discuss the possible mechanistic-of-actions of all four category terpenoids in anti-OP and assess their therapeutic potential for OP treatment.

Traditional Chinese medicine in osteoporosis: from pathogenesis to potential activity

“…Compared with the single treatment using bisphosphonates, TCM can develop personalized treatment plans according to the different physiques of patients. Specifically, for patients with poor spleen and stomach function, accompanied by general weakness, drugs with properties of strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi can be used; for patients with spleen and stomach disorders, accompanied by diarrhea and abdominal pain, drugs with an effect of strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea can be used; TCM can also improve blood circulation, promote the delivery of bone nutrients, and alleviate pain in patients with OP through methods such as acupuncture and moxibustion ( Zhuo et al, 2022 ). Therefore, TCM has unique advantages in the treatment of OP, including alleviating symptoms, improving prognosis, and reducing fracture incidence.…”

Formation of a traditional Chinese medicine self-assembly nanostrategy and its application in cancer: a promising treatment

“…Terpenoids, which utilize isoprene as a basic structural unit, are among the most abundant natural phytochemicals [ 55 – 57 ]. Terpenoids exhibit a distinct rigid skeleton, chiral centre, and many modification sites, as well as varied amounts of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, and fold easily in diverse mediums to produce self-assembled NPs.…”

Advanced application of nanotechnology in active constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicines

“…2a). Terpenoids are also involved in plant-environment interactions, facilitating the plant defense system against herbivores and pathogens, as well as providing communication signals in plant-pollinator interactions and interspecies competition [24][25][26].…”