The Effect of Lepidium Sativum L. Extract Loaded on Chitosan Nanoparticles in Experimental Rat Model of Osteoporosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disorder influencing approximately 40% of postmenopausal females, caused by a suppression in bone mass leading to bone weakness and fractures. Herbal medicine commonly used rather than conventional drugs due to its minor adverse effects. Lepidium sativum L. (LS) or "hab arachad", is known as an alternative medication for fracture treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect LS extract loaded chitosan nanoparticles on gene expression of miR-142-3p and miR-23a in experimental rat model of osteoporosis. The osteoporosis was induced in rats by subcutaneous injection with methylprednisolone (3.5 mg/kg b.wt / day) for 4 weeks. Then osteoporotic rats were orally treated with 400 mg/kg b.wt /day LS extract, chitosan nanoparticles (CN) and 400 mg/kg b.wt /day LS extract loaded on chitosan nanoparticles for 12 weeks. Our results showed that treatment with LS, CN and LS loaded on CN ameliorated the biochemical bone indices with variable degrees, with a final results of improved serum calcium and phosphorus. Treated rats showed a significant decrease in miR-23a expression and a significant increase in miR-142-3p expression which emphasized the improvement of osteoporosis. The effect of treatment with LS and LS loaded on CN was confirmed by histopathological observations. All of these effects together with the safety and no side effects of LS and LS loaded on CN make it a hopeful therapeutic agent for Osteoporosis management.