Effects of Safflower seed oil in osteoporosis induced-ovariectomized rats

The effects of Korean Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) seed oil (SSO) on osteoporosis induced-ovariectomized rats were investigated. A total of 90 female Sprague-Dawley rats, 4-month-old, weighing 200-230 g were randomly assigned into 3 groups (30 animals/group). The animals in group I were sham operated and those of group II and III were ovariectomized (Ovx). After eight weeks, the animals of group I and II received solvent vehicle daily, whereas those of group III were administered SSO orally (1 ml/kg) daily for 30 days. The changes in the serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF-II, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGBP-3), estrogen, total alkaline phosphatase (TALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), calcium and phosphorous in serum, and also the histomorphology of the proximal tibia metaphysis and femur/body weight (F/B) ratio were examined in all the groups at every 10 days interval. Thirty days later, IGF-I, IGF-II, IGBP-3 and BALP levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in group III as compared to groups I and II. There were no significant differences in serum levels of estrogen, TALP and F/B ratio between groups II and III, but estrogen levels were higher in group I. These results suggest that the safflower seeds have possible roles in the improvement of osteoporosis induced-ovariectomized rats.