Effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on bone loss, bone mineral density and osteoclast number in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis rats, and the likely michanism of action

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on bone loss, bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoclast number in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) rats, and the mechanism of action involved.Methods: Sixty female Wistar rats were assigned to control, model group, ginsenoside Rg3, and alendronate sodium groups, comprised of 15 rats per group. The osteoporosis rat model was established via intramuscular injection of dexamethasone. Changes in bone mineral content (BMC), BMD trabecular thickness and area, osteoblasts and osteoclasts in femurs and lumbar vertebrae were measured after 3 months of treatment.Results: There were significantly higher BMC and BMD levels in ginsenoside Rg3 group than in alendronate rats (p < 0.05). The thickness and trabecular area in femur and lumbar vertebrae in the ginsenoside Rg3 group were significantly higher than those in the model group (p < 0.05), but were comparable with those in the alendronate sodium group (p > 0.05). There were marked increases in osteoblasts, and marked decreases in osteoclasts in the ginsenoside Rg3 group, alendronate sodium and control rats, relative to model rats (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg3 arrests bone loss, and enhances bone density, trabecular thickness and area, bone microstructure, osteoblast activity and population of osteoclasts number in glucocorticoidinduced osteoporotic rats. This provides a new research direction for the clinical treatment ofosteoporosis.
 Keywords: Ginseng soap, Rg3, Glucocorticoid, Osteoporosis, Bone loss, Bone mineral density, Osteoclast population

Dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy and bone loss in six genetically diverse collaborative cross founder strains demonstrates phenotypic variability by Rg3 treatment

“…Among the traits measured in this study, muscle strength, muscle weight, endurance, and bone health, excluding spleen immune markers, showed a wide range of responses among the strains. Rg3 improves osteoporosis in the B6 strain [ [15] , [16] , [17] ], and in this study, among the six CC strains, Rg3 also increased BMD and bone area, although not significantly, in the DEX-induced B6 strain. However, in the AJ strain, these traits tended to decrease by Rg3 treatment.…”

“…Among the phytochemicals, we focused on ginsenoside Rg3, which is a functional ingredient of Korea red ginseng [ 59 , 60 ] and mitigates muscle atrophy and bone loss in preclinical and clinical trials [ 16 , 61 , 62 ]. In addition, we used a DEX-induced model to effectively induce muscle atrophy and bone loss among several methods, including chemotherapy (cisplatin) [ 63 ], fasting [ 64 ], nephrectomy [ 65 ], and hindlimb unloading [ 66 ], based on literature survey and previous studies.…”

“…Panax ginseng is a plant that has been traditionally used in Asian medicine and has various health benefits, including beneficial effects on bone health, muscle strength, and immune function [ [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] ]. Ginsenoside Rg3, an active compound found in Panax ginseng , has been studied for its effects on osteoporosis, a condition characterized by low bone mass, decreased bone strength, and osteosarcopenia, which refers to the loss of both muscle mass and bone density [ [15] , [16] , [17] ]. Treatment with Rg3 improves bone mass, reduces bone resorption markers in ovariectomized mice, increases the proliferation of myoblasts and muscle function, and suppresses T lymphocytes [ [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] ].…”

25-Hydroxyvitamin D: A potential marker of the incidence of osteoporosis and sarcopenia in diabetic mellitus patients

“…Osteoporosis (OP) is a group of conditions with features of decreases in bone density and bone mass, and patients tend to experience altered bone microarchitecture and increased bone fragility, resulting in a significantly higher incidence of systemic bone disease [5]. It has been revealed that bone and muscle share a common paracrine and endocrine regulatory mechanism, and that when individuals experience bone loss due to aging or chronic disease, muscle atrophy often occurs at the same time [6].…”