Methoxsalen supplementation attenuates bone loss and inflammatory response in ovariectomized mice.

Abstract

Methoxsalen (MTS) is a natural bioactive compound found in a variety of plants that has many known biofunctions; however, its effects on osteoporosis and related mechanisms are not clear. This study examined whether MTS exhibited preventive effects against postmenopausal osteoporosis. Female C3H/HeN mice were divided into four groups: Sham, ovariectomy (OVX), OVX with MTS (0.02% in diet), and OVX with estradiol (0.03 μg/day, s.c). After 6 weeks, MTS supplementation significantly increased femur bone mineral density and bone surface along with bone surface/total volume. MTS significantly elevated the levels of serum formation markers (estradiol, osteocalcin and bone-alkaline phosphatase) such as estradiol in OVX mice. Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining revealed that MTS suppressed osteoclast numbers and formation in femur tissues compared with the OVX group. Supplementation of MTS slightly up-regulated osteoblastogenesis-related genes (Runx-2, osterix, osteocalcin, and Alp) expression, whereas it significantly down-regulated inflammatory genes (Nfκb and Il6) expression in femur tissue compared with the OVX group. These results indicate that MTS supplementation effectively prevented OVX-induced osteoporosis via enhancement of bone formation and suppression of inflammatory response in OVX mice. Our study provides valid scientific information regarding the development and application of MTS as a food ingredient, a food supplement or an alternative agent for preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis.

• Authors: Ju Ri Ham, Ra-Yeong Choi, Sung-Tae Yee, Yun-Ho Hwang, Myung-Joo Kim, Mi-Kyung Lee
• Journal: Chemico-biological interactions (Chem Biol Interact) Vol. 278 Pg. 135-140 (Dec 25 2017) ISSN: 1872-7786 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 29074052 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit
• Interleukin-6
• NF-kappa B
• Runx2 protein, mouse
• Sp7 Transcription Factor
• Sp7 protein, mouse
• Estradiol
• Methoxsalen

Topics

• Animals
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Bone Density (drug effects)
• Bone and Bones (diagnostic imaging, metabolism, pathology)
• Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit (genetics, metabolism)
• Down-Regulation (drug effects)
• Estradiol (blood)
• Female
• Femur (drug effects, pathology)
• Interleukin-6 (genetics, metabolism)
• Methoxsalen (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C3H
• NF-kappa B (genetics, metabolism)
• Osteoporosis (etiology)
• Ovariectomy
• Sp7 Transcription Factor (genetics, metabolism)
• Up-Regulation (drug effects)