Abstract
Allium fistulosum is a perennial plant species grown worldwide belonging to the family Liliaceae. In Korean medicine, it is referred to as Chongbaek (CB), and it is prescribed for symptoms associated with the common cold due to its antipyretic properties. This study examined the effects of aqueous (CBW) and 30% ethanol (CBE) extracts on bone growth using a calcium- and vitamin D-deficient animal model. In an in vitro experiment, the alkaline phosphate activities of the extracts were examined using MC3T3-E1 and MG63 cells, and both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts had significant alkaline phosphate activities. In vivo, a serum analysis indicated that the CB extracts promoted bone growth based on the osteogenic markers ALP, calcium, osteocalcin, and collagen type 1 and increased the bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and growth plate length. Overall, our results indicate that both CBW and CBE of A. fistulosum can be utilized to facilitate bone growth and increase BMD in children and adolescents by lengthening the growth plate without adverse side effects, such as metabolic disorders or the release of obesity-inducing hormones.
Highlights
We investigated the efficacy of CB using an animal model with a calcium and vitamin D deficiency, which is closely related to bone weakening
While the 30% ethanolic extracts showed a higher content of the compounds than the aqueous extract, all four compounds were detected in both solvent extracts
A. fistulosum (CB), which refers to the white part of this perennial herbaceous plant, is used in Korean medicine to treat symptoms of the common cold due to its antipyretic, antibacterial, and peptogenic effects
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Allium fistulosum is a perennial plant species grown worldwide belonging to the family Liliaceae. This perennial herbaceous plant grows to a height of 30–50 cm, has an overall spicy odor, and releases a spicy mucus when cut. The bulb of the plant is known for its medicinal properties, and is known as Chongbaek (CB) in Korea [1].
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