Isoflavones isolated from chickpea sprouts alleviate ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats by dual regulation of bone remodeling

Osteoporosis is a common systemic skeletal disease and a predominant underlying factor in the increased occurrence of fractures. The structure of isoflavones resembles that of estrogen and can confer similar but weaker effects. This study investigated the potential inhibitory effects of isoflavones from chickpea sprouts (ICS) on ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis in vitro and in vivo. Notably, we found that ICS treatment could attenuate bone loss and improve trabecular microarchitecture and biomechanical properties of the fourth lumbar vertebra in OVX-induced osteoporotic rats and could also inhibit the development of a hyperosteometabolic state in this model. The osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) was significantly enhanced by ICS intervention in vitro, and we confirmed that estrogen receptor α signaling was required for this increased osteogenic differentiation. Additionally, ICS has been shown to inhibit bone resorption via ERa modulation of the OPG/RANKL pathway. RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis was reduced under ICS treatment, supporting that NF-κB signaling was inhibited by ICS. Thus, ICS attenuates osteoporosis progression by promoting osteogenic differentiation and inhibiting osteoclastic resorption. These results support the further exploration and development of ICS as a pharmacological agent for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.