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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
08:56
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.
Summary
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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