Selection of the Optimal Herbal Compositions of Red Clover and Pomegranate According to Their Protective Effect against Climacteric Symptoms in Ovariectomized Mice

Abstract

This study aimed to ascertain the optimal range of red clover dry extracts (RC) and dried pomegranate concentrate powder (PCP) to induce anti-climacteric effects. Thus, the dose ranges showing protective effect of mixed formulae consisting of RC and PCP were examined in ovariectomized mice. At 28 days after bilateral ovariectomy (OVX), mixed herbal compositions (RC:PCP = 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, 2:1, 4:1, and 8:1) were administered orally, at 120 mg/kg once daily for 84 days. We evaluated that RC and PCP mixture attenuate OVX-caused obesity, hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and osteoporosis. Compared to OVX-induced control mice, body weight and abdominal fat weight in OVX-induced mice were significantly decreased, concomitantly with increase of uterus weight by RC:PCP mixture. Additionally, significant increases in serum estradiol levels were observed in all RC:PCP-treated mice. RC:PCP mixture also showed protective effect against OVX-induced hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis. Total body and femur mean bone mineral density (BMD), osteocalcin, bALP contents were effectively increased by RC:PCP mixture. Taken together, RC:PCP mixture (2:1, 1:1, and 4:1) has remarkable protective effects against the changes induced by OVX. In particular, RC:PCP mixture (2:1) shows the strongest effect and may be considered as a potential protective agent against climacteric symptoms.

Antiosteoporotic effects of 3:1 (g/g) mixed formulation of exopolymers purified fromAureobasidium pullulansSM-2001 andDendropanax morbiferaleaf extracts in ovariectomized rats

“…BMD, regarded as a valuable index of bone quality changes in clinical settings, is significantly decreased in osteoporotic animals, regardless of the cause (Diez, ; Joo et al, ; Jung et al, ; Kang et al, ; Syed & Khan, ). BMD has provided good predictive information about the efficacy of antiosteoporotic agents (Syed & Khan, ).…”

“…Bone strength also markedly decreased in osteoporosis, regardless of the cause (Diez, ; Joo et al, ; Jung et al, ; Kang et al, ; Syed & Khan, ). The strength (FL) of the right dry femur and tibia mid‐shaft regions in OVX control rats were significantly ( p < .01) decreased compared with those of the sham control rats.…”

“…Bone mineral content is generally significantly decreased as osteoporosis progresses (Joo et al, ; Kang et al, ). Among the different bone minerals, Ca and IP are the most dramatically decreased, though their ratio (Ca/IP) is not significantly altered due to the simultaneous decrease of both these minerals (Joo et al, ; Jung et al, ; Kang et al, ). Significantly ( p < .01) reduced femur, tibia, and L4 Ca and IP contents were detected in OVX controls compared with sham controls.…”

Anti-osteoporotic effects of mixed compositions of extracellular polymers isolated from Aureobasidium pullulans and Textoria morbifera in ovariectomized mice

“…However, there is a need to develop an efficient resorptive inhibitor with higher safety. On-going trials to develop anabolic agents are typically designed through understanding bone formation and the differences in osteoblast [ 7 – 9 ].…”

“…It has been reported that the various pharmacological effects of natural products are synergistically increased by appropriate mixed formulations [ 9 , 44 – 46 ]. Specifically, the bone-preserving characteristics of EAP have been potentiated by combining it with other active agents [ 47 – 49 ].…”