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Antiosteoporosis and bone protective effect of nimbolide in steroid-induced osteoporosis rats
Jiang Huo1, Yu Ding2, Xinyuan Wei1
1Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University of Taiyuan, Taiyuan, China.
Background:
Osteoporosis is a metabolic, hereditary, progressive disease characterized by unusual bone production across the skeleton and a loss the bone tissue microstructure and mass. In this experimental study, we scrutinized the antiosteoporosis effect of nimbolide against glucocorticoid (GCs) induced osteoporosis in rats.
Methods:
Swiss albino female rats were employed for the current experiment study and the rats were divided into different groups. Dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg/day) was used for induction the osteoporosis and the rats were received the different doses of nimbolide (2.5, 5, and 7.5 mg/kg) for the estimation of bone protective effects. The body weight was estimated (initially and finally). Hormones, bone metabolic markers, bone turnover markers, bone structure, biomechanical, histomorphometric dynamic, biochemical markers, and histomorphometric static parameters were analyzed.
Results:
The body weight of GCs group rats considerably suppressed and nimbolide treatment remarkably improved the body weight. Nimbolide treated group exhibited the enhancement of bone metabolic, bone structure markers, and histomophometric dynamic markers, which was suppressed during the GCs-induced osteoporosis. GCs-induced osteoporosis rats exhibited the enhancement of procollagen type 1 C-terminal propeptide (P1CP), carboxy-terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX-1), Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b), and suppressed the level of bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), which was reversed by the nimbolide treatment. Nimbolide treatment remarkably improved the level of estradiol and suppressed the level of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which was altered during the osteoporosis. Nimbolide treatment significantly (p < 0.001) improved the level of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in the serum and bone tissue. Nimbolide treatment also altered the level of bone metabolic markers and suppressed the level of inflammatory cytokines.
Conclusion:
Based on the findings, we may conclude that nimbolide has antiosteoporosis properties via balancing the bone mass and improving vitamin and hormone levels.
Insights
Nimbolide demonstrates significant antiosteoporosis effects by improving bone mass, hormone levels, and key bone markers in a rat model. This natural compound offers a promising therapeutic avenue for managing osteoporosis.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease characterized by reduced bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration.
- Glucocorticoids (GCs) are a common cause of secondary osteoporosis, leading to significant bone loss.
- Nimbolide is investigated for its potential antiosteoporotic effects against GCs-induced bone loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antiosteoporosis efficacy of nimbolide in a rat model of GCs-induced osteoporosis.
- To assess the impact of nimbolide on bone metabolism, structure, and biomechanical properties.
Main Methods:
- Swiss albino female rats were induced with osteoporosis using Dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg/day).
- Rats were treated with varying doses of nimbolide (2.5, 5, and 7.5 mg/kg).
- Comprehensive analyses included body weight, hormones, bone metabolic and turnover markers, bone structure, biomechanical, and histomorphometric parameters.
Main Results:
- Nimbolide treatment significantly improved body weight and reversed GCs-induced suppression of bone metabolic and structural markers.
- Key bone turnover markers (P1CP, CTX-1, DKK1, TRACP 5b) and inflammatory cytokines were favorably modulated by nimbolide.
- Nimbolide enhanced serum and bone tissue levels of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, while improving estradiol and suppressing parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Conclusions:
- Nimbolide exhibits significant antiosteoporosis properties in a GCs-induced rat model.
- The compound effectively balances bone mass and improves crucial vitamin and hormone levels.
- Nimbolide represents a potential therapeutic agent for managing osteoporosis.

