Estrogenic active Ecklonia cava extract improves bone loss and depressive behaviour in OVX mice

Menopause is defined as the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle sustained over 12 months and caused by reduced secretion of estrogen and progesterone in ovaries. These hormonal changes lead to menopausal symptoms, including hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, depression and osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy, such as the administration of estrogen, estrogen plus progesterone and phytoestrogen, and nonhormonal therapy, including hormone reuptake inhibitors, are used to manage menopausal symptoms. In this study, the estrogenic acidity of Ecklonia cava (E. cava) and the therapeutic effect of E. cava on depression and osteoporosis symptoms in an ovariectomized mouse model of menopause were investigated. The estrogenic activity was increased by treatment with E. cava extract (ECE). In an evaluation of the antidepressive effect of the extract, ECE treatment significantly decreased the duration of depressive immobility in the tail suspension test and forced swim test. The levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine were recovered by ECE treatment. In an antiosteoporotic evaluation, bone microarchitectures and trabecular bone mineral density were improved by ECE treatment. Furthermore, the serum levels of C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) and receptor activator of nuclear factors κB ligand (RANKL) were decreased, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) was upregulated by ECE treatment. Taken together, these results indicate that E. cava could ameliorate menopausal depression and osteoporosis and be used for managing these symptoms.