title: A natural formula containing lactoferrin, Equisetum arvensis, soy isoflavones and vitamin D3 modulates bone remodeling and inflammatory markers in young and aged rats.
abstract: A pivotal role in osteoporosis development is played by radical oxygen species (ROS), the increased production of which is related to inhibited osteoblastic activity and bone formation. A new field of research could involve medicinal plants with antioxidant and protective effects in osteoporosis. Furthermore, considering the multifactorial metabolic aspects of osteoporosis, the pharmacological association of multiple medicinal plants could improve patient response. The aim of the present study is to evaluate in vitro and in vivo the protective effects of a natural formula containing lactoferrin 12%, Equisetum arvensis ES 54%, soy isoflavones 34% and vitamin D3 0.002%, in PBMC and C2C12 cells and in the bone matrix of young (3-month-old) and aged (12-month-old) female Sprague-Dawley rats, following chronic (21 days) administration. In this context, we assayed the activities of several inflammation and bone homeostasis mediators, such as IL-6, TNFα, PGE2, osteoprotegerin, RANK, RANKL and NFkB. In vitro studies showed that natural formula (5-1000μg/ml) was able to significantly inhibit ROS and PGE2 production. In the same concentration range, the natural formula inhibited both TNFα and IL-6 gene expression. In the in vivo studies, we administered to young and aged female rats the natural formula at 5mg/rat for 21 days, finding a significant reduction in inflammatory PGE2 and NFkB activity. Nevertheless, we observed a significant increase in osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio only in aged rats, compared to the respective control group. In conclusion, our findings corroborate the rational use of natural formula in the prevention and management of osteoporotic disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, G. dAnnunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Menghini
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, G. dAnnunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrante
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, G. dAnnunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leporini
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, G. dAnnunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Recinella
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, G. dAnnunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiavaroli
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, G. dAnnunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pintore
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, G. dAnnunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vacca
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, G. dAnnunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, G. dAnnunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brunetti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020829:Equisetum; D005260:Female; D007249:Inflammation; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013025:Glycine max
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D007529:Isoflavones; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D007781:Lactoferrin