Long-term use of bisphosphonates in osteoporosis

Dolichos Lablab Linné Inhibits Bone Density Loss and Promotes Bone Union in Senile Osteoporosis through Osteogenesis

As populations continue to age, osteoporosis has emerged as an increasingly critical concern. Most advancements in osteoporosis treatment are predominantly directed toward addressing abnormal osteoclast activity associated with menopause, with limited progress in developing therapies that enhance osteoblast activity, particularly in the context of aging and fractures, and serious side effects associated with existing treatments have highlighted the necessity for natural-product-based treatments targeting senile osteoporosis and fractures. Dolichos lablab Linné (DL) is a natural product traditionally used for gastrointestinal disorders, and its potential role in addressing bone diseases has not been extensively studied. In this research, we investigated the anti-osteoporosis and bone-union-stimulating effects of DL using the SAMP6 model, a naturally aged mouse model. Additionally, we employed MC3T3-E1 cells to validate DL's osteoblast-promoting effect and to assess the involvement of core mechanisms such as the BMP-2/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. The experimental results revealed that DL promoted the formation of osteoblasts and calcified nodules by upregulating both the BMP-2/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin mechanisms. Based on its observed effects, DL demonstrated the potential to enhance bone mineral density in aged osteoporotic mice and promote bone union in fractured mice. These findings indicate the promising therapeutic potential of DL for the treatment of osteoporosis and bone-related conditions, thus warranting further investigation and potential clinical applications.

Anti-Osteoporosis Effect of Heme on Osteoblast Pre-Cells and Rat Model

Objectives: Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease caused by various factors. As a prosthetic group of haemoglobin, heme can promote the formation of blood vessels and the regeneration of related cells by increasing the proliferation level of endothelial cells and reticulocytes. This study observed the anti-osteoporosis effect of heme on preosteoblast (POB) cells and rat models. Methods: Heme mimics were transfected into POB cells of patients in stable culture, and the effect of heme transfection on the activity of POB cells was detected via the cell scratch test and cell migration assay. 45 SD female rats were randomly divided into group A, the rats were only treated with surgery (n = 15); group B, the rats were given 30 mg/kg of heme chloride by tail vein injection on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days after surgery (n = 15); group C, rats were injected with the same amount of saline in the tail vein (n = 15). The mRNA and protein expressions of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP), and type I collagen C-terminal peptide (CTX) in rats serum were detected via western blot and real-time PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction). The expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α in rats serum were detected via Elisa. The pathological changes in the morphology of distal femur were observed by Hematoxylin-eosin staining. Results: After transfected with heme mimics, the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of the patient’s cells increased significantly, and the apoptosis rate of the cells decreased significantly. The relative expression levels of ALP and CTX mRNA and protein in serum of osteoporosis patients and rat significantly decreased 24 hours after transfection of heme mimics (p < 0.05), while B-ALP significantly increased. The expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in the rat model of osteoporosis group significantly increased (p < 0.05), but after transfection with heme mimic, the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in the rat reduced significantly. HE showed that, after transfection, the femoral trabeculae were substantially broader and thicker, and the number also increased significantly. The number of trabecular fractures and fat cells was decreased, the trabecular bones were smoother and close to the control group. Conclusion: Heme can significantly promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of POB cells in the body, and also can achieve the anti-osteoporosis effect by adjusting the expression of ALP, B-ALP, and CTX, IL-6 and TNF-α in osteoporosis model of rat.