| Osteoporosis, a global public health problem, effects many people and results in hip and vertebrae fractures. This disease defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "A progressive skeletal disease characterized by low bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture"(WHO,1994). Treatment for the prevention of bone loss, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been effectively used thus reducting the incidence of skeletal fractures. However, data from trial indicate long-term compliance of HRT increases the risk of cancer, thromboembolic events and vaginal bleeding.Thus non-hormonal or alternative means of proven efficacy and safety should be developed for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Alternative medicines are more suitable for long-term use and have apparently fewer adverse effects due to their unique characteristics. Alternative medicines, can substitute or reduce adverse drug effects compared with synthesized chemicals.Alternative medicines derived from plants have been widely used in clinical practice to treat bone disease for thousands of years and continue to be used as a cost-effective altemative.Isoflavones, found in soy products, have been characterized as naturally occurring selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) with similar beneficial effects to raloxifene in bone. Natural medicines contain numerous chemical constituents, which usually exert their therapeutic effects through multi-pathways on multi-targets. These unique properties correspondend to the multi-factorial pathogenesis of osteoporosis.Du-zhong, one of most important edible crude herbs, was first recorded in Shennong Emperor's Classic of Material (ShennongBencaoJing) to have kidney-tonifying activities. Chinese medicine believe the kidney is responsible for the nourishment of bone and supports gonadal functions. Du-zhong is commonly used for the treatment of muscle and bone injury by strengthening bone and curing bone fractures. However, excessive utilization of dried cortex at least 15-year-old, especially for use in general medicine, causing the cortex to become an increasingly scarce resource. Physicians found an appropriate substitute in the Du-zhong's seed. Currently, no information show the effects of Du-zhong seed on male osteoporosis. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to systematically evaluate the effect of Du-zhong seed extract (DZSE) on male osteoporosis.And a method for rapid determination of Ca,P,Zn,Fe,Mg and Sr in femoral bone was developed.The experimental procedures:Orchiectomy (ORX) or sham operations were performed on 120 six-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into eight groups: sham group (n=15); ORX group (n=15);three concentrations levels of Du-zhong seed extract treatment:DZSE55 (n=15), DZSE110 (n=15) and DZSE220 (n= 15);testosterone propionate treatment group (TP, n=15); XianLingGuBao Capsule treatment group (XLGBC, n=15), Caltrate D treatment group (CD, n=15). The treatment began 1 weeks post surgery for 12 weeks.Bone mass, bone turnover and strength were analyzed by DXA, biochemical markers and three-point bending test. Femur content was analyzed by Induced Coupled Argon Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES).Treatment of DZSE prevented the loss of bone mass induced by the ORX. The prevention effect on bone loss was due to altering the rate of bone remodeling, which could be inferred from the decreased level of bone turnover markers, such as serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The treatment also enhance the bone strength without effect on serum androgen levels.And the treatment influence the mineral absorption by the result of bone content analysis using ICP-AES.Our study provides significant difference in bone mass, bone turnover,bone strength, and bone mineral content from treatment of Du-zhong (Fucommia ulmoides Oliv.) seed extract which may have potential treatment of male osteoporosis. |
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