promotes bone formation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

CONTEXT

Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of bone diseases including osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. We have previously demonstrated that Jack (Moraceae) is capable of reducing hyperglycaemia. However, whether could protect against diabetic osteoporosis remains to be determined.

OBJECTIVE

The study examines the effect of on bone histomorphometric parameters, oxidative stress, and turnover markers in diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats ( = 6 animals per group) received one of the following treatments via gavage for 8 weeks: saline (diabetic control), metformin (1000 mg/kg bwt), and methanol leaves extract of (1000 mg/kg bwt). A group of healthy rats served as normal control. The femoral bones were excised and scanned using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for histomorphometric analysis. The serum levels of insulin, oxidative stress, and bone turnover markers were determined by ELISA assays.

RESULTS

Treatment of diabetic rats with could significantly increase bone mineral density (BMD) (from 526.98 ± 11.87 to 637.74 ± 3.90). Higher levels of insulin (2.41 ± 0.08 vs. 1.58 ± 0.16), osteocalcin (155.66 ± 4.11 vs. 14.35 ± 0.97), and total bone n-3 PUFA (2.34 ± 0.47 vs. 1.44 ± 0.18) in parallel with the presence of chondrocyte hypertrophy were also observed following treatment compared to diabetic control.

CONCLUSIONS

could prevent diabetic osteoporosis by enhancing osteogenesis and inhibiting bone oxidative stress. These findings support the potential use of for osteoporosis therapy in diabetes.