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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Estrogen-Like Effect of Bazi Bushen Capsule in Ovariectomized Rats
Published on: April 7, 2023
Beta-ecdysone has bone protective but no estrogenic effects in ovariectomized rats
Dana Seidlova-Wuttke1, David Christel, Priya Kapur
1Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
Abstract:
Estrogens exert beneficial effects in the bone. Their chronic use however bares several risks. Therefore intensive search for non-estrogenic, bone protective compounds is going on. We observed that an extract of Tinospora cordifolia has antiosteoporotic effects and identified 20-OH-Ecdysone (beta-Ecdysone=Ecd) as a possible candidate for this action. Ovariectomized (ovx) rats were treated orally over 3 months with no Ecd (control) or 18, 57 or 121 mg Ecd/day/animal. Estradiol-17beta benzoate (E2) 159 microg/day/animal) fed animals served as positive controls. Bone mineral density (BMD) of tibia was measured by quantitative computer tomography, serum Osteocalcin and CrossLaps were measured in a ligand binding assay. Utilizing an estrogen receptor (ER) containing cytosolic extract of porcine uteri the capability of Ecd to bind to ER was tested. Ecd did not bind to ER. BMD was reduced by more than 50% in the control. In the Ecd animals BMD was dose dependently higher. Serum CrossLaps was lower in the Ecd and E2 group while serum Osteocalcin levels were decreased in the E2 but increased in the Ecd fed animals. Ecd has an antiosteoporotic effect which does not involve activation of ER.
Insights
20-hydroxyecdysone (Ecd) from Tinospora cordifolia shows antiosteoporotic effects in ovariectomized rats. This bone-protective action does not involve estrogen receptor activation, offering a potential alternative to estrogen therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Bone Biology
- Natural Products
Background:
- Estrogens are beneficial for bone health but carry risks with chronic use.
- There is an ongoing search for non-estrogenic compounds with bone-protective properties.
- Tinospora cordifolia extract has demonstrated antiosteoporotic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiosteoporotic potential of 20-hydroxyecdysone (Ecd), a compound identified from Tinospora cordifolia.
- To determine if Ecd's bone-protective effects involve the estrogen receptor (ER).
Main Methods:
- Ovariectomized rats were orally treated with varying doses of Ecd or estradiol-17beta benzoate (E2) for three months.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) of the tibia was measured using quantitative computed tomography.
- Serum levels of Osteocalcin and CrossLaps were analyzed, and Ecd's binding to the estrogen receptor was tested.
Main Results:
- Ecd treatment dose-dependently increased BMD in ovariectomized rats.
- Serum CrossLaps levels decreased in Ecd-treated animals, similar to the E2 group.
- Osteocalcin levels decreased with E2 but increased with Ecd treatment.
- Ecd did not bind to the estrogen receptor.
Conclusions:
- 20-hydroxyecdysone (Ecd) exhibits significant antiosteoporotic effects.
- Ecd's mechanism of action does not involve the estrogen receptor.
- Ecd represents a promising non-estrogenic compound for managing osteoporosis.
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