The Effects of an Antiosteoporosis Herbal Formula Containing Epimedii Herba, Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and Psoraleae Fructus on Density and Structure of Rat Long Bones Under Tail‐Suspension, and its Mechanisms of Action

Abstract

An innovative anti-osteoporosis herbal formula containing epimedii herba, ligustri lucidi fructus and psoraleae fructus (ELP) has been previously shown its bone protecting effects in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats and also in post-menopausal osteopenic women. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of ELP against bone loss during physical inactivity or weightlessness. A hindlimb unloading tail-suspended rat model was used for studying the effects of ELP on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone micro-architecture. For in vitro mechanistic studies, rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and mouse macrophage cells (RAW264.7) were used for studying the effects of ELP on osteogenic/adipogenic differentiations and osteoclastogenesis, respectively. Our data illustrated that ELP had a significant preventive effect against bone loss induced by tail-suspension (TS) at day 28 (p < 0.01) as indicated in the reduction in BMD loss and the preservation of bone micro-architecture. ELP could significantly promote the osteogenesis and suppress the adipogenesis (p < 0.05) in MSCs. Besides, significant inhibition of osteoclast formation (p < 0.01) was found in ELP-treated RAW264.7 cells upon receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand induction. Our study presents the first scientific evidence that ELP had a significant preventive effect against bone loss induced by TS through the actions of enhancing osteogenesis, suppressing adipogenesis and osteoclastogenesis.

Herbal Medicine for General and Disuse Osteoporosis

“…These studies demonstrated the loss of bone mineral density resulting from weightlessness could be reduced while phytotherapy was administered during the tail suspension period [7]. The exact mechanisms are not known but it is assumed that boostering of osteoblastic activities could be the explanation [8,9].…”

Protective effects of water fraction of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract against hypercalciuria and trabecular bone deterioration in experimentally type 1 diabetic mice

“…In the clinical TCM practice, FLL is a component among kidney-tonifying herbal formulae for the treatment of osteoporosis (Sun et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2008a;Siu et al, 2013). Our previous study revealed that the crude extract of FLL could improve calcium balance by regulating transcellular calcium absorption in intestine and reabsorption in kidney (Zhang et al, 2006(Zhang et al, , 2008b(Zhang et al, , 2008c, consequently exerting bone-sparing function in aged female rats and aged osteoporotic rats with estrogen deficiency (Zhang et al, 2008d;Dong et al, 2014).…”

“…Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL), the fruit of Ligustrum lucidum Ait, is a commonly prescribed herb to nourish the endocrine and renal systems and to strengthen the bones in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) (Zhang et al, 2008b;Siu et al, 2013). In the clinical TCM practice, FLL is a component among kidney-tonifying herbal formulae for the treatment of osteoporosis (Sun et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2008a;Siu et al, 2013).…”

Effects of Chinese herbal formula Erxian decoction for treating osteoporosis: a systematic review

“…Therefore, there is a need to seek alternative and effective treatment alternatives for osteoporosis. Clinical practice has shown a bright future for Chinese herbal medicine and Chinese herbal formulas in treating osteoporosis 11,12…”