Advances in Anti-Osteoporosis Polysaccharides Derived from Medicinal Herbs and Other Edible Substances

Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disease, and treatment is required for the pre-vention of low bone mass, deterioration of microstructural bone tissue, and fragility fractures. Osteoporosis therapy includes calcium, vitamin D, and drugs with antiresorptive or anabolic action on the bone. Therapy for osteoporosis does not include taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), but pain associated with osteoporotic fractures can be treated by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Recently, polysaccharides extracted from medicinal herbs and edible substances (PsMHES) have attracted attention on account of their safety and promising anti-osteoporosis effects, whereas a systematic review about their potential in anti-osteoporosis is vacant to date. Herein, we reviewed the recent progress of PsMHES with anti-osteoporosis activities, looking to introduce the advances in the various pharmacological mechanisms and targets involved in the anti-osteoporosis effects, extraction methods, main mechanism involved in Wnt/β-catenin pathways and pathways and RANKL (Receptor Activator for NFκB ligand or TNFSF25) pathways, and Structure-Activity elationships (SAR) analysis of PsMHES. Typical herbs like Achyranthes bidentate and Morinda officinalis used for the treatment of osteoporosis are introduced; their traditional uses in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are discussed in this paper as well. This review will help to the recognition of the value of PsMHES in anti-osteoporosis and provide guidance for the research and development of new anti-osteoporosis agents in clinic.

Fresh autologous stromal tissue fraction for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis related pain and disability

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a very common condition with multifactorial etiology leading to severe pain and disability in the adult population. Although KOA is considered a non-inflammatory arthritis, upregulation of inflammatory and catabolic pathways with increased production of proinflammatory cytokines leading to cartilage degradation and extracellular matrix degeneration has been reported. Intra-articular injection of fresh fat derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) fraction has been proposed as a valid and alternative treatment for symptomatic KOA that guarantees mechanical support through viscosupplementation, anti-inflammatory, and anabolic action. We retrospectively reviewed a case series of 84 consecutive adult patients with KOA who underwent intra-articular injection of fresh fat derived SVF. Significant improvement in pain levels (NRS score decrease 3.5±1.1, p<0.001), WOMAC pain (-7.02±3.45 score change, p<0.001), WOMAC stiffness (-1.97±1.02, p<0.001), and ROM improvement (+17.13±5.22°, p<0.001). The only complication noted was knee joint swelling lasting for less than 7 days after the injection in 7% of the patients.

EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF SOURCE PLANTS OF DUGDHIKA (EUPHORBIA HIRTA LINN. AND EUPHORBIA THYMIFOLIA LINN.) FOR ANABOLIC ACTIVITY: AN IN VIVO STUDY

Rajakshavaka a drug, mentioned in Brimhaniya Maha Kashaya Gana of Charaka is mentioned as Dugdhika by Chakrapani in his commentary and in Bhava Prakasha KC Chunekar commentary, 4 sources are mentioned for the same. Among 4 sources only 2 sources are locally available i.e., Euphorbia hirta Linn and Euphorbia thymifolia Linn. These 2 sources were selected to evaluate Brimhana (Anabolic) action experimentally to understand the better source plant for Dugdhika among locally available sources. The objective of the Study is to experimentally evaluate the drug Dugdhika (Europhobia hirta Linn. Europhobia thymifolia Linn) with respect to its anabolic activity. Anabolic activity was estimated in Wistar rats by administering Hydro-alcoholic extract of Euphorbia hirta Linn (HAEEH) and Euphorbia thymifolia Linn (HAEET) with Normal and High Protein Diet (HPD: Protein – 39.4%, Fat – 10.0%, Fibre – 4.3%, Carbohydrates - 7.0 %). Anabolism was evidenced by physical parameters (Weight, Nose to Anus length, Chest Circumference, Abdominal circumference, BMI), Lean body mass (LBM), Fat body mass (FBM) and Biochemical and Haematological parameters. Both the sources of Dugdhika (Euphorbia hirta Linn and Euphorbia thymifolia Linn) showed significant anabolic action. But, among the two sources Euphorbia thymifolia Linn was more significant compared to Euphorbia hirta Linn with HPD. The obtained results revealed that, among the two locally available sources of Dugdhika (Euphorbia hirta Linn and Euphorbia thymifolia Linn) Euphorbia thymifolia Linn is a better source plant for Brimhana action.