Effects of R. Glutinosa and E. Senticosus on Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

  • Oh, Soo-Yeon (Institute of Biomedicine, Dankook University Medical Center) ;
  • Aryal, Dipendra Kumar (Department of Pharmacology, Dankook University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Yoon-Gyoon (Institute of Biomedicine, Dankook University Medical Center) ;
  • Kim, Hyung-Gun (Institute of Biomedicine, Dankook University Medical Center)
  • Published : 2007.06.30

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of a novel formulation of low-dose calcium and vitamin $D_3$ blended with Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch and Eleutherococcus senticosus Max (RE+), in postmenopausal women. The controls were given either a placebo or high dose calcium and vitamin $D_3$ (Ca + D). Bone mineral density (BMD) in the L2-3 lumber spines and femur regions was assessed, and serum osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) were used as markers of osteoblast and osteoclast activity. Furthermore, all variables were measured before and after 6 and 12 months of treatment. The osteocalcin level was higher in the RE+ group, and BALP was almost the same in all groups. Serum NTx was significantly decreased in the RE+ group after 12 months (p<0.05). The NTx in the Ca + D and placebo groups showed no significant change. The decrease of femur BMD was further demonstrated in the placebo group, but significantly increased in the RE+ group after 6 and 12 months of treatment (p<0.05). There were significant differences in the percent changes of femur BMD between the placebo and RE+ groups (p<0.01) and Ca+D and RE+ groups (p<0.05). The decrease of spine BMD in the placebo group was inhibited both in the Ca + D and RE+ groups, however, there was significant difference only between the placebo and RE+ groups (p<0.05). These findings suggest that continuous oral therapy of the RE+ formulation reduces rapidly decreasing bone mineral density in postmenopausal women more effectively than high doses of calcium and vitamin $D_3$ alone by inhibiting osteoclastic activity. Therefore, it seems that the RE+ has its own antiosteoporotic effects. We suggest larger clinical studies to determine the most efficacious dosage and benefits of this novel treatment.

Keywords

References

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