Efficacy and Possible Mechanisms of Astragali Radix and its Ingredients in Animal Models of Osteoporosis: A Preclinical Review and Metaanalysis

Abstract

Background: Astragali Radix (AR) has a long history as a traditional Chinese medicine for anti-osteoporosis (OP) treatment. The aim of the study was to explore the effect and optimal regimens of AR and its main ingredients (IAR) in OP treatment. Methods: Eligible animal studies were searched in seven databases (PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, SciELO Citation Index, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang). The primary outcomes were bone metabolic indices. The secondary outcome measure was the anti-OP mechanism of IAR. Results: 21 studies were enrolled in the study. The primary findings of the present article illustrated that IAR could significantly increase the bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume over the total volume, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, bone maximum load and serum calcium, while trabecular separation and serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen were remarkably decreased (P < 0.05). In subgroup analysis, the BMD in the long treatment group (≥ 10 weeks) showed better effect size than the short treatment group (< 10 weeks) (P < 0.05). Modeling methods and animal sex were factors affecting serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels. Conclusion: The findings suggest the possibility of developing IAR as a drug for the treatment of OP. IAR with longer treatment time may achieve better effects regardless of animal strain and age.

Calycosin alleviates titanium particle‐induced osteolysis by modulating macrophage polarization and subsequent osteogenic differentiation

“… 8 Astragalus membranaceous (AM) is a common food‐origin Chinese medicine with a long history of treating osteoporosis, inflammation and other related diseases. 9 Calycosin (CA) is the main active compound of AM, a plant oestrogen with various pharmacological properties such as anti‐inflammatory, anti‐osteoporotic and antioxidant activities, 10 implying that it may have an inhibitory effect on inflammatory‐related osteolysis diseases such as PPO. But to the best of our knowledge, the therapeutic effect of CA on PPO, especially its role in Ti particle‐induced macrophage polarization and subsequent osteogenesis promotion, remains elusive.…”