Fenugreek Seed Ethanolic Extract Improves Alveolar Bone Parameters by Attenuating Inflammation in Ovariectomized Rats

Alveolar bone residual ridge resorption remains a major challenge for dental implant placement in patients with edentulism. Fenugreek seed extracts have been reported to have potential roles in bone metabolism.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fenugreek seed ethanolic extract (FSEE) on bone cells, inflammation, hormones, and angiogenesis parameters of alveolar bone tissue following teeth extraction in an ovariectomized (OVX) model.

A total of 30 adults female Wistar rats were assigned into two major groups. Each group consisted of control, OVX, OVX+FSEE 100 mg/kg BW, OVX+FSEE 200 mg/kg BW, and OVX+FSEE 400 mg/kg BW. The FSEE treatment was applied through the intragastric route for 7 days in the first group and for 30 days in the second group of animals. The first molar tooth of the right maxilla was extracted before the FSEE treatment. The level of 17β-estradiol was measured by the ELISA method. The dissected maxilla alveolar bone processus was sectioned for histological evaluation by hematoxylin-eosin staining and an immunohistochemistry assay.

This study found that FSEE reduced the blood estrogen level and increased estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) expression. FSEE administration modified the number of bone cells, angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), sclerostin, and the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-β ligand (OPG/RANKL) ratio. Alterations were seen in the inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁), and the macrophage-1/macrophage-2 (M1/M2) ratio.

In this study, inflammation was found to be attenuated by reductions in IL-6 and sclerostin, and an increase in TGF-β₁. The maturation of bone osteocytes increased along with the increase in ER-α expression and ratio of OPG/RANKL.