Effects of Lycii Fructus and Lycii Folium Extracts on Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Rats

摘要

The effects of Lycii fructus and Lycii folium on osteoporosis and serum cholesterol levels were tested in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: Sham group (sham-operated), Control group (OVX,ovariectomized model), LCF group (Ovx+Lycii fructus extract), and LCL group (OVX+Lycium folium extract). After 8 weeks, the OVX (330±5.39 g), LCF (315±2.99 g), and LCL (318±2.06 g) groups showed increased body weight compared with sham group (281±1.71 g). The levels of serum osteocalcin (OC) also increased in the LCF (444.6±26.9 ng/mL) and LCL (407± 18.9 ng/mL) groups compared with the OVX group (107±3.52 ng/mL). The activities of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased in the LCF (108±2.7 U/L) and LCL (407±18.9 ng/mL) groups compared with the OVX group (95±2.9 U/L). Stereomicroscopy found that the low bone density that developed in the OVX group was significantly reversed in the LCF and LCL groups after 8 weeks. We also obtained molecular-based in vivo evidence that supports a mechanism of action involving novel estrogen receptor (ERa) modulator in the uterus. We found that expression of ERa mRNA in the OVX rat uterus was elevated by Lycium chinense. These results suggest that Lycii fructus and Lycii folium administered to rats during 8 weeks after oophorectomy may partially recover postmenopausal osteoporosis or delay the progression of osteoporotic changes.