Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of the methanolic extract of plant Glycyrrhiza glabra roots on bone mineral density and femoral bone strength of ovariectomized rats. Methods: Thirty 10-month-old Wistar rats were randomly separated into three groups of ten, Control, Ovariectomy and Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza in their drinking water. Total and proximal tibial bone mineral density was measured in all groups before ovariectomy (baseline) and after 3 and 6 months post ovariectomy. Three-point-bending of the femurs and uterine weight and histology were examined at the end of the study. Results: No significant difference was noted in bone density percentage change of total tibia from baseline to 3 months between Control and Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza groups (+5.31% ± 4.75 and +3.30% ± 6.31 respectively, P = non significant), and of proximal tibia accordingly (+5.58% ± 6.92 and +2.61% ± 13.62, P = non significant) demonstrating a strong osteoprotective effect. There was notable difference in percentage change of total tibia from baseline to 6 months between groups Ovariectomy and Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza (−13.03% ± 5.11 and −0.84% ± 7.63 respectively, P < 0.005), and of proximal tibia accordingly (−27.9% ± 3.69 and −0.81% ± 14.85 respectively, P < 0.001), confirming the protective effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract in preserving bone density of the Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza group. Three-point-bending did not reveal any statistically significant difference between Ovariectomy and Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza groups. Uterine weights of the Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza group ranged between the other two groups with no statistically significant difference to each. Conclusions: Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract notably protected tibial bone mineral density loss in Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza rats in comparison with ovariectomized rats, but did not improve biomechanical strength.

Recent efforts for alternative non-pharmaceutical treatments for postmenopausal osteoporosis are focused on nutritional measures. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of table olive wastewater extract (OE) administration on bone mineral density (BMD) and biomechanical strength in ovariectomized rats. Thirty mature 9-month-old female Wistar rats were separated into 3 groups of ten; Control, Ovariectomized (OVX) and OVX+OE. BMD was measured before ovariectomy, 3 and 6 months afterwards. At the end of the study, blood, both femurs and tibias, internal organs and abdominal fat were collected. After three months, the percentage changes from baseline of the total and proximal tibial BMD of the OVX+OE group were both higher compared to the OVX group (p<0.005). Similar results were found after six months, when the percentage changes from baseline of the total and proximal tibial BMD of the OVX+OE group were both higher compared to the OVX group (p<0.005). Biomechanical testing of the femurs did not reveal any statistically significant difference between the groups. Body weights throughout the study, organs’ and abdominal fat ratios to final body weight, blood results (alanine aminotransferase; ALT, Gamma-glutamyltransferase; γ-GT, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein; HDL-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein; LDL-cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus) were within normal limits and did not show any significant difference between the treated and untreated groups. As a conclusion, the administration of table olive wastewater extract for 6 months protected tibial BMD loss in comparison to the untreated OVX group without causing adverse effects.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Ceratonia siliqua on bone mineral density (BMD) as a nonpharmaceutical alternative treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Materials and Methods: Thirty mature female Wistar rats were randomly separated into three groups of 10: Control, ovariectomized (OVX), and ovariectomized-plus-C. siliqua (OVX+CS). Total and proximal BMD were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in all groups before ovariectomy, and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.At the end of the study, the femurs were subjected to a threepoint bending test. Results: DEXA revealed no statistically significant difference in absolute values or percentage changes for total tibial BMD between OVX+CS and OVX groups throughout the study. In the proximal tibia, both absolute values and BMD percentage changes from baseline were higher in the OVX+CS group compared to the OVX group after 3 and 6 months of C. siliqua administration. Three-point bending test revealed a significantly higher thickness index in the OVX+CS group compared to the OVX group and a higher cross-sectional area index compared to the control group. Conclusion: Long-term administration of C. siliqua may be considered a non-pharmaceutical alternative treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Further research is required to properly investigate the effects, and suitable treatment dose and schedule.Osteoporosis is a multifactorial skeletal disorder that is a public health concern and a heavy economic burden (1-3). After 35-40 years of age, osteoclasts are more active than osteoblasts. As a result, bone mass is lost, which occurs faster in postmenopausal women depending on lifestyle, diet, and other factors, because of their decreasing sex hormones 270