Preventive effects of Polygonum orientale L. on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Polygonum orientale L. (POE) on ameliorating postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.

Methods

Six-month-old female rats were randomly divided into seven groups: sham-operated; OVX; OVX with estradiol valerate; OVX with alendronate; and OVX with POE in graded doses (3.75, 5.0, or 7.5 g/kg/day). Administration began at week 6 after ovariectomy for 12 weeks. A comprehensive assessment of bone quality was performed, including serum biochemical markers, serum inflammatory factors, bone oxidative stress markers, bone mechanics, and bone histomorphometry.

Results

POE treatment significantly decelerated OVX-induced body weight gain without affecting the uterus index and produced a significant decrease in the levels of serum bone turnover markers (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Biomechanical testing demonstrated that POE (5.0 and 7.5 g/kg/day) treatments significantly prevented the reduction in maximum stress and Young's modulus in OVX rats (p < 0.05). Compared with the OVX group, POE (3.75, 5.0, or 7.5 g/kg/day) treatments significantly increased trabecular bone mineral density by 35.03, 38.42, and 42.02%, respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that POE has potential effects in regulation of bone metabolism and prevention of bone loss in postmenopausal osteoporosis.