Acute effects of Solanum malacoxylon on bone formation rates in growing rats

The plant Solanum malacoxylon is responsible for a syndrome of hypercalcemia, soft tissue mineralization, and progressive wasting in South American cattle known as enteque seco or espichamento. There is evidence that a glycoside of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol is the active principle in the plant. The basis for the hyperostosis seen in the disease is unclear. To study the acute effects on bone formation rates, 8-week-old rats were given an aqueous extract equivalent to 250 or 1000 mg of Solanum daily per os for 7 days. Bones were labeled by injection of fluochrome 2 days before the start of treatment and 2 days prior to sacrifice. Morphometric evaluation of undecalcified sections of caudal vertebrae revealed an increased amount of trabecular bone in both Solanum treated groups with no difference due to dose level. This was associated with an increase in the bone apposition rate on trabecular surfaces. No differences were found in the amount of osteoid seam width. Periosteal apposition rate and endochondral bone formation were also measured and no significant differences found. The findings indicate that acute stimulation of cell level bone formation on trabecular surfaces may play a role in the hyperostosis seen in the naturally occurring condition.