A Lignan-Rich Bioactive Fraction of Sambucus williamsii Hance Exerts Oestrogen-Like Bone Protective Effects in Aged Ovariectomized Rats and Osteoblastic Cells

Abstract

Sambucus williamsii Hance as a folk medicine has been used for the treatment of bone and joint diseases for thousands of years in China. The present study aims to examine the effects of the bioactive fraction (SWC) of S. williamsii on bone in aged OVX rats, identify the major bioactive components in SWC and circulation post-ingestion, and investigate the mechanism involved in its bone protective effects. The results indicated that the lignan-rich fraction SWC is effective in protection against ovariectomy induced bone loss in aged rats and its actions might be mediated by the direct oestrogen-like action of lignan on osteoblasts.