Effects of phenolic glycosides from Curculigo orchioides on bone and reproductive tissue in ovariectomized rats

Phenolic glycosides from Curculigo orchioides (COP) have been proven to have estrogen-like and anti-osteoporotic activity [1], and are used for the treatment of osteoporosis and age-associated diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of COP on bone and reproductive tissue, and to clarify the benefits or risks in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Our results indicated that administration of COP at dose of 6, 18, and 54 mg/kg significantly increased the bone mineral density by 9.0%, 10.9% and 12.3% respectively, improved percent of trabecular area (a marker of microarchitecture structure of bone tissue) from 7.8% to 9.4%, 12.5% and 14.0%, increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) from 178U/ml to 202, 234 and 245U/ml respectively, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) from 806 U/ml to 1156, 1209 and 1223U/ml respectively in serum. Nevertheless, COP treatments did not cause manifested fewer adverse effects on the uterus, mammary gland and vagina compared to estrogen administrations. This may be related to their inhibitory effects on the expression of ER α and PR, leading to an increase the ratio of ERβ to ERα. In conclusion, COP may be as effective as estrogen in preventing ovariectomy-induced bone loss, but with fewer adverse effects on the reproductive tissues.