Anti-osteoporotic effects of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels extract on ovariectomized rats and its oral toxicity in rats

Nutrients. 2014 Oct 16;6(10):4362-72. doi: 10.3390/nu6104362.

Abstract

Angelica sinensis root is one of the herbs most commonly used in China; it is also often included in dietary supplements for menopause in Europe and North America. In the present study, we examined the anti-osteoporotic effects of A. sinensis extract in an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of osteoporosis as well as toxicity of the extract after repeated oral administration. The OVX rats were treated with 17β-estradiol (10 μg/kg i.p. once daily) or A. sinensis extract (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, p.o. once daily) for four weeks. The bone (femur) mineral density (BMD) of rats treated with the extract (300 mg/kg) was significantly higher than that of the OVX-control, reaching BMD of the estradiol group. Markers of bone turnover in osteoporosis, serum alkaline phosphatase, collagen type I C-telopeptide and osteocalcin, were significantly decreased in the extract group. The body and uterus weight and serum estradiol concentration were not affected, and no treatment-related toxicity was observed during extract administration in rats. The results obtained indicate that A. sinensis extract can prevent the OVX-induced bone loss in rats via estrogen-independent mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Angelica sinensis / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Bone Density / drug effects*
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects*
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / administration & dosage*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / toxicity
  • Estradiol / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Osteocalcin / metabolism
  • Osteoporosis / diet therapy*
  • Osteoporosis / metabolism
  • Ovariectomy / adverse effects
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Collagen Type I
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Osteocalcin
  • Estradiol
  • angelicae sinensis extract
  • Alkaline Phosphatase