Affiliations: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia,
Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
Note: [] Corresponding author: Ahmad Nazrun Shuid, Department of
Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Jalan
Raja Muda Abd Aziz 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel.: +60 3 92897281; Fax: +60
3 26938205; E-mail: anazrun@yahoo.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal osteoporosis is best treated and
prevented by estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). Although effective, ERT may
cause breast cancer, uterine cancer and cardiovascular problems.
Labisia pumila var. alata (LP), a herb with phytoestrogenic,
antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects has potential as an ERT
alternative. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate micro-CT
analysis on the effects of LP supplementation on the trabecular
microarchitecture of postmenopausal osteoporosis rat model. Micro-CT is an
effective tool in detecting changes in trabecular bone structure and providing
a three dimensional information which may replace other conventional bone
analysis methods. METHODS: Ninety-six female Sprague-Dawley
rats (4 to 5 months old) were randomly divided into six groups of baseline
group (BL) Sham-operated (Sham), ovariectomised control (OVXC), ovariectomised
with 64.5 μg/kg of Premarin (ERT), ovariectomised with 20 mg/kg of LP
(LP20) and ovariectomised with 100 mg/kg of LP at (LP100). The vehicle
(deionized water), Premarin and LP were given via daily oral gavages for three,
six and nine weeks of treatment periods. Rats in BL group were euthanized
before the start of the study, while other rats were euthanized after
completion of their treatments. Femora were dissected out and trabecular bone
microarchitecture analysed with micro-CT. RESULTS: Micro-CT analysis of OVXC rats revealed significant osteoporotic changes in connectivity
density, trabecular bone volume, trabecular thickness, trabecular separation
and trabecular number. Both ERT and LP were able to reverse all the OVX-induced
bone changes with the best results seen with 100 mg/kg of LP for nine weeks
duration of treatment. CONCLUSION: Micro-CT provides accurate
and reliable information on trabecular bone parameters which aid in the
diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. LP supplementation at 100 mg/kg was
more effective than ERT in reversing ovariectomy-induced bone changes. Further
studies are required to explore the potential of LP as ERT alternative in the
treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Keywords: Micro-CT, osteoporosis, postmenopausal, bone microarchitecture, bone quality, Labisia pumila
