Nanoscale Calcium Salt-Based Formulations As Potential Therapeutics for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis causes severe bone damage, posing potential risks to human health, patient quality of life, and society. Calcium has been widely shown to enhance bone density and prevent osteoporosis-related bone fractures. Here, we focused on calcium salt formulations containing natural substances and their possible therapeutic effects on osteoporosis. In particular, we developed a nanoscale calcium salt of natural origin and formulated nanocomposite tablets supplemented with vitamin D (Vit D), herb Rhodiola rosea (R. rosea) and natural mineral Shilajit that are known to be antiosteoporotic. The calcium salt nanocomposites exhibited no toxicity, and particularly the formulation containing R. rosea stimulated osteogenic differentiation. The calcium salt nanocomposites inhibited osteoclastic activity, including RANKL expression, as shown by a decrease in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells. When administered orally to osteoporotic rats for 45 days, the calcium salt nanocomposites reduced bone resorption, as evidenced by the significantly higher bone volume and density, increase in osteoblasts and decrease in osteoclasts compared to those in nontreated control rats. Systemic administration of the nanocomposites caused no severe stomach toxicity or damage over the test period, during which no renal stone growth was observed. On the basis of their significant bilateral effects in stimulating osteoblasts and inhibiting osteoclasts and the resultant efficacy in an osteoporotic model, the nanocomposite tablets composed of a calcium salt and natural products can be considered novel nanotherapeutics for osteoporosis treatment.