A protective effect of Curcuma comosa Roxb. on bone loss in estrogen deficient mice.

BACKGROUND

Curcuma comosa Roxb. or Wan chak motluk is an indigenous medicinal herb and has traditionally been used among postmenopausal women for relief of unpleasant menopausal symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

Estrogen deficiency is a causative factor in the development of osteoporosis in menopausal women. Phytoestrogens, non-steroidal plant-derived compounds which have an array of beneficial effects, are considered as an effective alternative compound in preventing bone loss caused by the deficiency of estrogen. The present study determined the potential effect of Curcuma comosa Roxb. (C. comosa) hexane extract containing phytoestrogens in protecting bone loss induced by ovariectomy in mice.

METHODS

Mature Swiss albino female mice were ovariectomized and treated with the C. comosa extract for 5 weeks. Bone calcium content, bone mass density, histology, and bone markers were evaluated.

RESULTS

The ovariectomized mice showed a marked decrease in total bone calcium content and bone mass density of lumbar vertebrae 5-6, femur and tibia bone in comparison with the intact control mice. Bone histology demonstrated the poor development of endochondral bone formation in ovariectomized mice which correlated with a decrease in plasma bone alkaline phosphatase activity. Treatment with C. comosa protected against the loss of total bone calcium content and bone mass density in both trabecular and cortical bones, similar to results observed with estrogen treatment. In addition, C. comosa treatment resulted in less increase in uterine weight compared to estrogen treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that C. comosa prevents bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency. Therefore, C. comosa would be a potential alternative treatment for prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.