Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of the methanolic extract of plant Glycyrrhiza glabra roots on bone mineral density and femoral bone strength of ovariectomized rats.Methods: Thirty 10-month-old Wistar rats were randomly separated into three groups of ten, Control, Ovariectomy and Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza in their drinking water. Total and proximal tibial bone mineral density was measured in all groups before ovariectomy (baseline) and after 3 and 6 months post ovariectomy. Three-point-bending of the femurs and uterine weight and histology were examined at the end of the study.Results: No significant difference was noted in bone density percentage change of total tibia from baseline to 3 months between Control and Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza groups (+5.31% ± 4.75 and +3.30% ± 6.31 respectively, P = non significant), and of proximal tibia accordingly (+5.58% ± 6.92 and +2.61% ± 13.62, P = non significant) demonstrating a strong osteoprotective effect. There was notable difference in percentage change of total tibia from baseline to 6 months between groups Ovariectomy and Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza (−13.03% ± 5.11 and −0.84% ± 7.63 respectively, P < 0.005), and of proximal tibia accordingly (−27.9% ± 3.69 and −0.81% ± 14.85 respectively, P < 0.001), confirming the protective effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract in preserving bone density of the Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza group. Three-point-bending did not reveal any statistically significant difference between Ovariectomy and Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza groups. Uterine weights of the Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza group ranged between the other two groups with no statistically significant difference to each.Conclusions: Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract notably protected tibial bone mineral density loss in Ovariectomy-plus-Glycyrrhiza rats in comparison with ovariectomized rats, but did not improve biomechanical strength.
Highlights
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a known health problem that affects mostly white women worldwide
The desire to cope with osteoporosis using non- pharmaceutical protective regimen becomes even stronger as the indications of the beneficial effect of certain plants lead to studies of plants extracts, some of which display phytoestrogenic properties [20,21,22,23]
The OVX+G group decreases its bone mineral density (BMD) as well but less than the OVX animals which indicates a protective effect from the plant extract
Summary
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a known health problem that affects mostly white women worldwide. Long term compliance can be low [10,11,12,13] due to of biological adverse effects and complications, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, breast and uterus cancer, low energy fractures of the femur and osteonecrosis of the jaw [14,15,16,17,18,19]. The desire to cope with osteoporosis using non- pharmaceutical protective regimen becomes even stronger as the indications of the beneficial effect of certain plants lead to studies of plants extracts, some of which display phytoestrogenic properties [20,21,22,23]. Epidemiologic data show a lower incidence in breast and prostate cancer in phytoestrogen consuming populations [24]. In vitro and animal studies set up an important anteroom for successful clinical trials, which desirably would lead to complication free management of osteoporosis [2530]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
