Inhibitory Effect of Ulmus davidiana and Cornus officinalis Extracts on Osteoporotic Bone Loss In Vitro and In Vivo.

Background and

Objectives

Traditional herbal medicines are becoming more popular as a complementary medication as they have the advantages of being mostly harmless and safe, causing fewer side-effects than conventional medications. Here, we demonstrate the inhibitory effects of the combination of Ulmus davidiana (UD) and Cornus officinalis (CO) extracts on osteoporotic bone loss. Materials and

Methods

This study presented osteogenic effects in primary cultured osteoblasts, pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell lines, and osteoclastogenic effects in osteoclasts derived from bone marrow monocytes, and finally, protective effects on bone loss in an ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporotic animal model.

Results

A significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was observed following treatment with UD and CO mixtures (8:2, 7:3, and 5:5 ratios) and individual UD and CO extracts, with the highest ALP activity being detected for the treatment with UD and CO extracts at a 5:5 ratio. An optimal ratio of UD and CO (UC) extract promoted osteoblast differentiation in both pre-osteoblastic cells and primary osteoblasts by increasing osteoblastic markers such as Alpl, Runx2, and Bglap. However, treatment with the UC extract inhibited osteoclast differentiation with a decreased expression of osteoclastogenesis-related genes, including Ctsk, Acp5, Mmp9, and Nfatc1. In addition, UC treatment prevented osteoporotic bone loss in OVX mice and improved impaired skeletal structure parameters.

Conclusions

This study suggests that combined UD and CO extracts may be a beneficial traditional medicine for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.