The Effect of Alcohol Insoluble Polysaccharide (AIP) fromOpuntia Humifusaon Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Mice

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of alcohol-insoluble polysaccharide (AIP) isolated from the fruit and stem of Opuntia humifusa on bone metabolism in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Female mice 6 weeks of age were assigned to four groups: Sham-operated (Sham), OVX control, OVX mice fed 5% AIP fruit of an O. humifusa supplemented diet (OVX + Fruit), and OVX mice fed 5% AIP stem of an O. humifusa supplemented diet (OVX + Stem). After eight weeks, the OVX + Fruit group and the OVX + Stem group demonstrated increased trabecular bone volume and bone mineral density, and partially improved bone microstructure of the proximal tibia was evident in OVX mice. The OVX + Fruit group and the OVX + Stem group also presented significant reductions in both bone resorption and bone formation. These results suggest that AIP from O. humifusa has beneficial effects on trabecular bone mass, through improving the structural properties of the tibia in OVX mice. Practical Applications The Opuntia humifusa, which has been traditionally consumed as a value-added food, has been used to treat diuretic disease, constipation and arthritis. We found the fruit and stem AIP of O. humifusa played beneficial functions such as regulation of bone mineral density and improving cancellous bone, suggesting they could be applied as a functional food material for the prevention of osteoporosis.