Effect of Co-Administration of Panax ginseng and Brassica oleracea on Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Mice

Panaxatriol exerts anti-senescence effects and alleviates osteoarthritis and cartilage repair fibrosis by targeting UFL1

INTRODUCTION

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common degenerative joint disease, can eventually lead to disability. However, no safe or effective intervention is currently available. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective drugs that reduce cartilage damage and treat OA.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to ascertain the potential of panaxatriol, a natural small molecule, as a therapeutic drug for alleviating the progression of OA.

METHODS

An in vitro culture of human cartilage explants and C28/I2 human chondrocytes and an in vivo surgically induced OA mouse model were used to evaluate the chondroprotective effect of panaxatriol. The Drug Affinity Responsive Target Stability assay, CRISPR-Cas9 assay, Whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing analysis and agonist or antagonist assays were used to identify the target and potential signaling pathways of panaxatriol. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polyethylene glycol (PLGA-PEG) was used to construct the sustained-release system of panaxatriol.

RESULTS

Panaxatriol protected against OA by regulating chondrocyte metabolism. Ubiquitin-fold modifier 1-specific E3 ligase 1 (UFL1) was identified as a novel target of panaxatriol. Whole transcriptome RNA sequencing showed that UFL1 was closely related to cell senescence. Panaxatriol inhibited chondrocyte senescence through UFL1/forkhead box O1 (FOXO1)/P21 and UFL1/NF-κB/SASPs signaling pathways. It also could inhibit fibrocartilage formation during cartilage repair via the UFL1/FOXO1/Collagen 1 signaling pathway. Finally, we constructed a sustained-release system for panaxatriol based on PLGA-PEG, which reduced the number of intra-articular injections, thereby alleviating joint swelling and injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Panaxatriol exerts anti-senescence effects and has the potential to delay OA progression and reduce cartilage repair fibrosis by targeting UFL1.

Evaluating the Anti-Osteoporotic Potential of Mediterranean Medicinal Plants: A Review of Current Evidence

Background: Bones are biological reservoirs for minerals and cells, offering protection to the other organs and contributing to the structural form of the body. Osteoporosis is a prevalent bone condition that significantly impacts people's quality of life. Treatments utilizing natural products and medicinal plants have gained important attention in the management of osteoporosis and its associated implications, such as osteoporotic fractures. Even though thousands of plants grow in the Mediterranean region, the use of medicinal plants as an alternative therapy for osteoporosis is still limited. Methods: This article provides a comprehensive overview of seven Mediterranean medicinal plants that are used in osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials. The mechanism of action of the medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds against diseases are also briefly discussed. Results: The findings clearly indicate the ability of the seven medicinal plants (Ammi majus, Brassica oleracea, Ceratonia siliqua L., Foeniculum vulgare, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Salvia officinalis, and Silybum marianum) as anti-osteoporosis agents. Xanthotoxin, polyphenols, liquiritin, formononetin, silymarin, and silibinin/silybin were the main bioactive compounds that contributed to the action against osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures. Conclusions: In this review, the Mediterranean medicinal plants prove their ability as an alternative agent for osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures instead of conventional synthetic therapies. Thus, this can encourage researchers to delve deeper into this field and develop medicinal-plant-based drugs.

Therapeutic Potential of Ginsenosides on Bone Metabolism: A Review of Osteoporosis, Periodontal Disease and Osteoarthritis

Ginsenosides, bioactive compounds from the genus Panax, have potential therapeutic effects on diverse ailments, including diabetes. Emerging evidence suggests their involvement in bone metabolism. The present review summarizes the current understanding of the effects of ginsenosides on osteoporosis, periodontal disease, and osteoarthritis. Their mechanisms of action include effects on osteoblasts, osteoclasts, periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs), and chondrocytes, which are pivotal in maintaining bone, periodontal tissue, and cartilage homeostasis. Ginsenosides may exert their beneficial effects by enhancing PDLF and osteoblast activity, suppressing osteoclast function, augmenting chondrocyte synthesis in the cartilage matrix, and mitigating connective tissue degradation. Moreover, they possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-pyroptotic properties. Their efficacy in increasing bone density, ameliorating periodontitis, and alleviating osteoarthritis symptoms has been demonstrated in preclinical studies using animal models. In terms of their mechanism of action, ginsenosides modulate cellular differentiation, activity, and key signaling pathway molecules, such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), while also regulating various mediators. Furthermore, the symptomatic relief observed in animal models lends further credence to their therapeutic utility. However, to translate these preclinical findings into clinical practice, rigorous animal and clinical investigations are imperative to ascertain the safety, efficacy, and optimal dosing regimens in human subjects.

Menopause modified the association of blood pressure with osteoporosis among gender: a large-scale cross-sectional study

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the potential association between blood pressure and osteoporosis in a rural population with limited resources. Existing evidence on this association is limited, particularly in such settings.

Methods

Data from 7,689 participants in the Henan Rural Cohort study were analyzed. Four blood pressure indicators [systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and pulse pressure (PP)] were measured. The logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline plots were used to assess the relationship between blood pressure indicators and osteoporosis prevalence.

Results

Positive trends were noted between blood pressure indicators and osteoporosis prevalence in the entire group and women (P trend < 0.05 for SBP, MAP, and PP). Women with higher SBP and PP exhibited elevated odds of osteoporosis compared with those with the lowest SBP and PP (ORs ranging from 1.15 to 1.5 for SBP and 1.06 to 1.83 for PP). No such associations were found in men. These relationships were only evident in postmenopausal women. Dose-response analysis confirmed these findings. Excluding participants taking hypertension medication did not alter the results.

Conclusion

In resource-limited settings, higher SBP and PP are associated with the increased prevalence of osteoporosis in women, potentially influenced by menopause-related factors. This indicates that potential gender-based differences and social inequalities may affect bone health.

Clinical trial registration

The Henan Rural Cohort Study has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Register (Registration number: ChiCTR-OOC-15006699) http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=11375.

Korean red ginseng extract prevents bone loss in an oral model of glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis in mice

The gut microbiota and barrier function play important roles in bone health. We previously demonstrated that chronic glucocorticoid (GC)-induced bone loss in mice is associated with significant shifts in gut microbiota composition and impaired gut barrier function. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG, Panax Ginseng Meyer, Araliaceae) extract has been shown to prevent glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) in a subcutaneous pellet model in mice, but its effect on gut microbiota and barrier function in this context is not known. The overall goal of this study was to test the effect of KRG extract in a clinically relevant, oral model of GIO and further investigate its role in modulating the gut-bone axis. Growing male mice (CD-1, 8 weeks) were treated with 75 μg/mL corticosterone (∼9 mg/kg/day) or 0.4% ethanol vehicle in the drinking water for 4 weeks. During this 4-week period, mice were treated daily with 500 mg/kg/day KRG extract dissolved in sterile water or an equal amount of sterile water via oral gastric gavage. After 4 weeks of treatment, we assessed bone volume, microbiota composition, gut barrier integrity, and immune cells in the bone marrow (BM) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs). 4 weeks of oral GC treatment caused significant distal femur trabecular bone loss, and this was associated with changes in gut microbiota composition, impaired gut barrier function and altered immune cell composition. Importantly, KRG extract prevented distal femur trabecular bone loss and caused significant alterations in gut microbiota composition but had only modest effects on gut barrier function and immune cell populations. Taken together, these results demonstrate that KRG extract significantly modulates the gut microbiota-bone axis and prevents glucocorticoid-induced bone loss in mice.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Heterocyclic Ring-Fused 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol Derivatives as Potent Antiosteoporosis Agents

A series of heterocyclic ring-fused derivatives of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effects on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Among these compounds, 33 (SH491, IC50 = 11.8 nM) showed the highest potency with 100% inhibition at 0.1 μM and 44.4% inhibition at an even lower concentration of 0.01 μM, which was much more potent than the lead compound PPD (IC50 = 10.3 μM). Cytotoxicity tests indicated that the inhibitory effect of these compounds on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation was not due to their cytotoxicity. Interestingly, SH491 also exhibited a notable impact on the osteoblastogenesis of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts. Mechanistic studies revealed that SH491 inhibits the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related marker genes and proteins, including TRAP, CTSK, MMP-9, and ATPase v0d2. In vivo, SH491 could dramatically decrease the ovariectomy-induced osteoclast activity and relieve osteoporosis obviously. Thus, these PPD derivatives could be served as promising leads for the development of novel antiosteoporosis agents.

ANKRD1 activates the Wnt signaling pathway by modulating CAV3 expression and thus promotes BMSC osteogenic differentiation and bone formation in ovariectomized mice

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are considered promising materials for treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis (OP). This research explored the functions and molecular mechanism of ankyrin repeat domain 1 (ANKRD1) in BMSC osteogenesis. An OP model in mice was established by bilateral ovariectomy. Manipulation of ANKRD1 expression in BMSCs or femurs was achieved by lentivirus infection. Increased ANKRD1 expression was observed in BMSCs during osteogenic induction. Silencing of ANKRD1 impaired the osteogenesis of BMSCs, as shown by the decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteogenic gene (Runx2, Col1a1, Bglap, and Spp1) expression, and mineralized formation. ANKRD1-mediated promotion of osteogenesis was also reproduced in mouse MC3T3-E1 preosteoblastic cells. Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, a well-known osteogenic stimulus, was also impaired in ANKRD1-silenced BMSCs. Overexpression of ANKRD1 resulted in the opposite effects on osteogenesis and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Mechanistic studies revealed that ANKRD1 modulated caveolin-3 (CAV3) expression by reducing CAV3 ubiquitination, and the knockdown of CAV3 impaired the functions of ANKRD1. Additionally, a very low level of ANKRD1 was observed in the BMSCs from OP mice. Rescue of ANKRD1 significantly restored osteogenic differentiation and Wnt signaling activation in BMSCs from ovariectomized mice. The results of micro-CT, H&E staining, and IHC staining showed that ANKRD1 also promoted bone formation and Wnt activation and ameliorated pathological alterations in the femurs of OP mice. Collectively, this study demonstrated that ANKRD1 plays an important role in regulating the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and is a promising target for the treatment of OP and other bone diseases.

Korean Red Ginseng extract treatment prevents post-antibiotic dysbiosis-induced bone loss in mice

Background

The intestinal microbiota is an important regulator of bone health. In previous studies we have shown that intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, induced by treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics (ABX) followed by natural repopulation, results in gut barrier dysfunction and bone loss. We have also shown that treatment with probiotics or a gut barrier enhancer can inhibit dysbiosis-induced bone loss. The overall goal of this project was to test the effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extract on bone and gut health using antibiotics (ABX) dysbiosis-induced bone loss model in mice.

Methods

Adult male mice (Balb/C, 12-week old) were administered broad spectrum antibiotics (ampicillin and neomycin) for 2 weeks followed by 4 weeks of natural repopulation. During this 4-week period, mice were treated with vehicle (water) or KRG extract. Other controls included mice that did not receive either antibiotics or KRG extract and mice that received only KRG extract. At the end of the experiments, we assessed various parameters to assess bone, microbiota and in vivo intestinal permeability.

Results

Consistent with our previous results, post-ABX- dysbiosis led to significant bone loss. Importantly, this was associated with a decrease in gut microbiota alpha diversity and an increase in intestinal permeability. All these effects including bone loss were prevented by KRG extract treatment. Furthermore, our studies identified multiple genera including Lactobacillus and rc4-4 as well as Alistipes finegoldii to be potentially linked to the effect of KRG extract on gut-bone axis.

Conclusion

Together, our results demonstrate that KRG extract regulates the gut-bone axis and is effective at preventing dysbiosis-induced bone loss in mice.

Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells promote osteogenesis through the AKT signaling pathway in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is a relatively common disease characterized by low bone mass and microstructural changes of trabecular bone. The reduced bone strength is caused a variety of complications, including fragility fracture and sarcopenia. We used CCK-8 and EdU assays to evaluate cell proliferation rates. The osteogenesis effect was detected using ALP staining, alizarin red staining, and q-PCR. In vivo, the effects of exosomes derived from HUC-MSCs were evaluated using HE staining, IHC staining and Masson staining. In addition, we explored the mechanism of exosomes and found that the AKT signaling pathway played an important role in osteogenesis and cell proliferation. This paper mainly explored the function of exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) and provided a new strategy for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. In conclusion, exogenous administration of exosomes can contribute to the treatment postmenopausal osteoporosis to a certain extent.

Acid Neutralization and Immune Regulation by Calcium-Aluminum-Layered Double Hydroxide for Osteoporosis Reversion

Osteoporosis is a kind of global chronic bone disease characterized by progressive loss of bone mass and bone quality reduction, leading to a largely increased risk of bone fragility. In clinics, the current treatment of osteoporosis relies on the inhibition of bone damage by osteoclasts but ignores the function of immune cells in the progress of osteoporosis, leading to much compromised therapeutic efficacy. In this work, a highly effective osteoporosis-immunotherapeutic modality is established for the treatment of osteoporosis based on acid neutralization in synergy with immune microenvironment regulation by a specially designed nanocatalytic medicine, calcein functionalized calcium-aluminum-layered double hydroxide (CALC) nanosheets. Briefly, the mildly alkaline CALC nanosheets could neutralize the acidic microenvironment of osteoporosis accompanying the acidity-responsive LDH degradation. Subsequently, calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CAPs) are generated by the reaction between the released Ca²⁺ from LDH degradation and endogenous phosphates, resulting in M2 phenotype anti-inflammatory differentiation of bone macrophages through a c-Maf transcriptional factor pathway and the following activity enhancements of regulatory T cells (T_reg) and the deactivation of T helper 17 cells (T_H17). Both in vitro and in vivo results show an excellent therapeutic efficacy on osteoporosis featuring a significant BV/TV (%) enhancement of femurs from 6.2 to 10.7, demonstrating high feasibility of this therapeutic concept through the combined acid neutralization and immune regulation. Such an inorganic nanomaterial-based strategy provides a novel, efficient, and biosafe therapeutic modality for intractable osteoporosis treatment, which will benefit patients suffering from osteoporosis.

Effects of Korean red ginseng on three-dimensional trabecular bone microarchitecture and strength in growing rats: Comparison with changes due to jump exercise

Objectives

The preventive effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) on bone loss and microarchitectural deterioration have been extensively studied in animal models. However, few results have been reported for the effects of KRG on the trabecular microarchitecture as compared to changes resulting from physiological stimuli such as exercise load. We compared the effects of KRG and jump exercise on improvements in trabecular microarchitecture and strength of the distal femoral metaphysis in rats.

Methods and materials

Eleven-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into sedentary (CON), KRG-administered (KRG), and jump-exercised (JUM) groups. Rats were orally administered KRG extract (200 mg/kg body weight/day) once a day for 6 weeks. The jump exercise protocol comprised 10 jumps/day, 5 days/week at a jump height of 40 cm. We used microcomputed tomography to assess the microarchitecture, volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), and fracture load as predicted by finite element analysis at the right distal femoral metaphysis. The left femur was used for the quantitative bone histomorphometry measurements.

Results

Although KRG produced significantly higher trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) than CON, BV/TV was even higher in JUM than in KRG, and differences in vBMD and fracture load were only significant between JUM and CON. In terms of trabecular microarchitecture, KRG increased trabecular number and connectivity, whereas the JUM group showed increased trabecular thickness. Bone resorption showed significant decrease by JUM and KRG group. In contrast, bone formation showed significant increase by JUM group.

Conclusions

These data show that KRG has weak but significant positive effects on bone mass and suggest that the effects on trabecular microarchitecture differ from those of jump exercise. The effects of combined KRG and jump exercise on trabecular bone mass and strength should be investigated.

Dietary organosulfur compounds: Emerging players in the regulation of bone homeostasis by plant-derived molecules

The progressive decline of bone mass and the deterioration of bone microarchitecture are hallmarks of the bone aging. The resulting increase in bone fragility is the leading cause of bone fractures, a major cause of disability. As the frontline pharmacological treatments for osteoporosis suffer from low patients' adherence and occasional side effects, the importance of diet regimens for the prevention of excessive bone fragility has been increasingly recognized. Indeed, certain diet components have been already associated to a reduced fracture risk. Organosulfur compounds are a broad class of molecules containing sulfur. Among them, several molecules of potential therapeutic interest are found in edible plants belonging to the Allium and Brassica botanical genera. Polysulfides derived from Alliaceae and isothiocyanates derived from Brassicaceae hold remarkable nutraceutical potential as anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, vasorelaxant and hypolipemic. Some of these effects are linked to the ability to release the gasotrasmitter hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). Recent preclinical studies have investigated the effect of organosulfur compounds in bone wasting and metabolic bone diseases, revealing a strong potential to preserve skeletal health by exerting cytoprotection and stimulating the bone forming activity by osteoblasts and attenuating bone resorption by osteoclasts. This review is intended for revising evidence from preclinical and epidemiological studies on the skeletal effects of organosulfur molecules of dietary origin, with emphasis on the direct regulation of bone cells by plant-derived polysulfides, glucosinolates and isothiocyanates. Moreover, we highlight the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the biological role of these compounds and revise the importance of the so-called 'H₂S-system' on the regulation of bone homeostasis.

Anti-Osteoporotic Effect of Morroniside on Osteoblast and Osteoclast Differentiation In Vitro and Ovariectomized Mice In Vivo

Bone remodeling is a continuous process of bone synthesis and destruction that is regulated by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Here, we investigated the anti-osteoporotic effects of morroniside in mouse preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells and mouse primary cultured osteoblasts and osteoclasts in vitro and ovariectomy (OVX)-induced mouse osteoporosis in vivo. Morroniside treatment enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and positively stained cells via upregulation of osteoblastogenesis-associated genes in MC3T3-E1 cell lines and primary cultured osteoblasts. However, morroniside inhibited tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity and TRAP-stained multinucleated positive cells via downregulation of osteoclast-mediated genes in primary cultured monocytes. In the osteoporotic animal model, ovariectomized (OVX) mice were administered morroniside (2 or 10 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks. Morroniside prevented OVX-induced bone mineral density (BMD) loss and reduced bone structural compartment loss in the micro-CT images. Taken together, morroniside promoted increased osteoblast differentiation and decreased osteoclast differentiation in cells, and consequently inhibited OVX-induced osteoporotic pathogenesis in mice. This study suggests that morroniside may be a potent therapeutic single compound for the prevention of osteoporosis.