Possible therapeutic potential of berberine in the treatment of STZ plus HFD-induced diabetic osteoporosis

Diabetic osteoporosis is a complication of diabetes mellitus, and can result in an increased incidence of bone fractures and a delay in fracture healing. Berberine is one of the most widely distributed isoquinoline alkaloid in plants and possesses antioxidant properties. These properties can reduce the high glucose mediated in the dysfunction of human bone marrow stem cells. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the apparent beneficial effect of berberine on bone characteristics in streptozotocin plus HFD-induced diabetic rats. Rats were selected at random and divided into four groups: (A) control group (CG) (n = 10); (B) diabetic group (DG) (n = 10); (C) diabetic group with 50 mg kg−1day−1 of berberine (Brb-50) (n = 10); and (D) diabetic group with 100 mg kg−1day−1 of berberine (Brb-100) (n = 10). After 12 weeks of being treated with berberine, the femora from all rats were assessed and other blood biochemistries evaluated. Berberine at 50 mg/kg showed little effect and significance on diabetic osteopenia, while berberine at 100 mg/kg was significantly increased in diabetic rats. The same group also displayed a significantly decreased serum osteocalcin and serum alkaline phosphatase activity in diabetic rats. The impaired micro-architecture of the femurs in diabetic rats could partially be prevented by berberine with 100 mg/kg. In addition, berberine could to an extent restore the decreased bone formation and reabsorption of the femurs in diabetic rats through the histomorphometric analysis. Berberine could not only significantly lower the oxidative level of DNA damage, but also up-regulate the activity of serum antioxidants. According to our investigations and discoveries, we have found, that berberine may be a potential drug for controlling bone loss in diabetic osteoporosis.