Rhizoma drynariae total flavonoids combined with calcium carbonate ameliorates bone loss in experimentally induced Osteoporosis in rats via the regulation of Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway

Abstract

Background Rhizoma drynariae, a traditional Chinese herb, is commonly used in treatment of bone healing in osteoporotic fractures. However, whether the Rhizoma drynariae total flavonoids (RDTF) can promote the absorption of calcium and enhance the bone formation is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the preventive effects of RDTF combined with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) on estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss. Methods Three-month-old Sprague–Dawley rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and then treated with CaCO3, RDTF, and their admixtures for ten weeks, respectively. The bone trabecular microstructure, bone histopathological examination, and serum biomarkers of bone formation and resorption were determined in the rat femur tissue. The contents of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of the NF-κB (RANK), and its ligand (RANKL) in marrow were analyzed by ELISA, and the protein expressions of Wnt3a, β-catenin, and phosphorylated β-catenin (p-β-catenin) were analyzed by Western blot. Statistical analysis was conducted by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by LSD post hoc analysis or independent samples t test using the scientific statistic software SPSS version 20.0 Results RDTF combined with CaCO3 could promote osteosis and ameliorate bone loss to improve the repair of cracked bone trabeculae of OVX rats. Furthermore, RDTF combined with CaCO3 also could prevent OVX-induced decrease in collagen fibers in the femoral tissue of ovariectomized rats and promote the regeneration of new bone or cartilage tissue, while CaCO3 supplementation promoted the increase in bone mineral content. Nevertheless, there was no difference in the expression of Wnt3a, β-catenin and p-β-catenin between osteopenic rats and RDTF treated rats, but RDTF combined with CaCO3 could activate the Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway. Conclusions RDTF combined with CaCO3 could ameliorate estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss via the regulation of Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway.

Kidney tonifying traditional Chinese medicine: Potential implications for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis

“…For instance, Hu et al investigated the preventive effects of total flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma (TFDR) combined with CaCO3 on bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency. The results showed that TFDR can increase OPG content, reduce the content of RANK and RANKL, improve the bone loss of OVX rats, and promote the repair of fractured trabecular bone in OVX rats ( Hu et al, 2021 ). TFDR also improved serum reactive oxygen species in OVX rats, SOD, and GSH-Px, reduced MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels, upregulated the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), OPG, and BGP, and downregulated the expression of p-AKT, p-PI3K, and p-mTOR, indicating that TFDR has anti-osteoporosis effects by enhancing the antioxidant capacity of rats ( Mu et al, 2021 ).…”

Chondroitin sulfate alleviates osteoporosis caused by calcium deficiency by regulating lipid metabolism

“…Calcium supplementation may be an effective treatment for osteoporosis. However, calcium supplements alone are ineffective in preventing osteoporosis and can even increase the risk of fractures [ 11 ].…”

Total Flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma Improve Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis of Rats: UHPLC-MS-Based Qualitative Analysis, Network Pharmacology Strategy and Pharmacodynamic Validation

“…Therefore, TFDR is broadly used for osteoporosis treatment. Currently, the researches about the efficacy of TFDR mainly aim to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) and its action mechanism on growth of bone graft and fracture healing (10)(11)(12). However, TFDR has not been reported to cure GIOP yet.…”