title: Protection of trabecular bone in ovariectomized rats by turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is dependent on extract composition.
abstract: Extracts prepared from turmeric (Curcuma longa L., [Zingiberaceae]) containing bioactive phenolic curcuminoids were evaluated for bone-protective effects in a hypogonadal rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Three-month female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and treated with a chemically complex turmeric fraction (41% curcuminoids by weight) or a curcuminoid-enriched turmeric fraction (94% curcuminoids by weight), both dosed at 60 mg/kg 3x per week, or vehicle alone. Effects of two months of treatment on OVX-induced bone loss were followed prospectively by serial assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) of the distal femur using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), while treatment effects on trabecular bone microarchitecture were assessed at two months by microcomputerized tomography (microCT). Chemically complex turmeric did not prevent bone loss, however, the curcuminoid-enriched turmeric prevented up to 50% of OVX-induced loss of trabecular bone and also preserved the number and connectedness of the strut-like trabeculae. These results suggest that turmeric may have bone-protective effects but that extract composition is a critical factor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona, P.O. Box 245218, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA.
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Jennifer B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Frye
authors.forename: Barbara N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Timmermann
authors.forename: Janet L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Funk
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts