The Role of Herbal Medicine in Modulating Bone Homeostasis
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025

Estrogen-Like Effect of Bazi Bushen Capsule in Ovariectomized Rats
Published on: April 7, 2023
Xinnan Cheng1,2, Shanshan Jin1,2, Mingzhe Feng1
1Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiao Tong University, Xi'an, 710054, China.
Abstract:
Osteoporosis and other bone diseases are a major public health concern worldwide. Current pharmaceutical treatments for bone disorders have limitations, driving interest in complementary herbal medicines that can help maintain bone health. This review summarizes the scientific evidence for medicinal herbs that modulate bone cell activity and improve bone mass, quality and strength. Herbs with osteogenic, anti-osteoporotic, and anti-osteoclastic effects are discussed, including compounds and mechanisms of action. Additionally, this review examines the challenges and future directions for translational research on herbal medicines for osteoporosis and bone health. While preliminary research indicates beneficial bone bioactivities for various herbs, rigorous clinical trials are still needed to verify therapeutic efficacy and safety. Further studies should also elucidate synergistic combinations, bioavailability of active phytochemicals, and precision approaches to match optimal herbs with specific etiologies of bone disease. Advancing evidence- based herbal medicines may provide novel alternatives for promoting bone homeostasis and treating skeletal disorders.
More Related Videos
07:20Author Spotlight: Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine with Modern Pharmacology and Genomics for Assessing Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2024
03:56Author Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Lingnan Fire-Needle Therapy in Osteoporosis Intervention
Published on: April 26, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Bone Remodeling
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Essential Minerals for Bone Health
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...