Dioscorea polystachya Turcz. Extract attenuates osteoclastogenesis and ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats

초록

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Dioscorea polystachya Turcz. has been traditionally used in East Asian herbal medicine to strengthen bones and treat musculoskeletal conditions. However, the pharmacological mechanisms underlying its anti-osteoporotic effects remain poorly defined. Aim of the study: This study aimed to investigate the anti-osteoporotic potential of D. polystachya root extract (DRE) through its effects on osteoclast differentiation and function, using both in vitro and in vivo models. Materials and methods: Osteoclastogenesis was induced in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) by stimulation with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and the effects of DRE on osteoclast formation were assessed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and qRT-PCR analysis of key osteoclastogenic genes (e.g., Nfatc1, c-Fos, Ctsk, Mmp9, Acp5). For in vivo analysis, ovariectomized (OVX) rats were orally administered DRE for eight weeks. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), histological staining (H&E and IHC for cathepsin K), and serum biomarker assays such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and TRAP were used to evaluate trabecular bone preservation and osteoclast activity. Results: DRE significantly inhibited osteoclast formation and suppressed the expression of osteoclast-related transcription factors and functional markers in vitro. In OVX rats, DRE treatment dose-dependently attenuated trabecular bone loss, reduced serum ALP and TRAP levels, and preserved trabecular architecture. IHC analysis showed a marked reduction in cathepsin K-positive cells in the DRE-treated group compared to OVX controls. Conclusions: DRE exerts anti-osteoporotic effects by suppressing osteoclast differentiation and activity, thereby mitigating bone loss in estrogen-deficient conditions. These findings highlight the potential of D. polystachya as a promising natural therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

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