The Antiosteoporosis Effects of Zhuanggu Guanjie Pill In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract

We investigated the beneficial effects and underlying mechanisms of Zhuanggu Guanjie (ZGGJ) pill in osteoporosis in vitro and in vivo. Bone marrow macrophages from 4–6-week-old mice were cultured in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (15 ng/mL) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (30 ng/mL). Osteoclast differentiation was determined by quantification of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity. Gelatin zymography was used to detect the activity of matrix metalloproteinases in osteoclasts. Ovariectomized rats were administered orally with estradiol valerate or ZGGJ for 8 weeks. Blood was collected to measure serum indices. Tibiae were harvested to carry out bone microcomputed tomography scanning, histomorphological analysis, and bone strength determination. ZGGJ inhibited tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity, matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression, and bone resorption in vitro. At doses of 0.55, 1.1, and 2.2 g/kg, ZGGJ exerted significant osteoprotective effects including inhibition of bone turnover markers and improved tibia bone strength in ovariectomized rats. Microcomputed tomographic analysis showed that ZGGJ improved the trabecular architecture with increased connectivity density and trabecular thickness and decreased trabecular spacing. These results revealed that ZGGJ prevents bone loss induced by ovariectomy in rats and that inhibition of bone resorption is involved in the bone-protective effects of ZGGJ.

Effects of 12-Week Exercise Program on Enzyme Activity of Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 in Female Patients with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Randomized Control Study

“…Moreover, studies on animal models also proved that MMP-9 can be a marker for osteoclast activity [5]. Widely used ovariectomized rat model recently showed a significant decrease in MMP9 activity, observed by means of gelatin zymography, after pharmacological treatment [14]. Finally, human studies confirmed the overexpression of MMP-9 in subjects suffering from osteoporosis [26].…”

“…e closer mechanism of these protective possibilities has to be clarified. e serum MMP-9 concentration was observed to be negatively correlated with BMD (bone mineral density) and is considered as a biochemical marker of bone resorption and remodeling [13,14] and an important marker in the early diagnosis of osteoporosis [8].…”

Network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation to explore the mechanism of kaempferol in the treatment of osteoporosis

“…Matrix metalloproteinase 9 is a Zn 2+ -dependent proteolytic enzyme that is closely related to the pathogenesis of OP. Evidence shows that serum MMP-9 concentration is negatively correlated with bone mineral density, which is considered a biochemical marker of bone resorption and reconstruction, and an important marker for early diagnosis of OP 40 , 41 . Additionally, Guoju Hong et al showed that Robinin may inhibit osteoclast proliferation to prevent OP by down-regulating the expression of the osteoclast target gene, MMP9 42 .…”

Osteoporosis: Current and Emerging Therapies Targeted to Immunological Checkpoints

“…Traditional Chinese medicines comprising herbal formulas are an interesting alternative to prevent osteoporosis because of their effective bone protecting properties and the lower reported side effects compared with synthetic drugs. Zhuanggu Guanjie pill is a traditional Chinese medicine formula consisting of 12 herbs including rhizoma drynariae, radix dipsaci, rhizoma cibotii and fructus psoraleae, which have beneficial effects in osteoporosis patients [ 86 ]. BHH10, a traditional Korean herbal medicine including three herbs (A. membranaceus, C. cassia, and P. amurense), has also proved effective and safe [ 87 ].…”