Role of berberine in metabolic and bone changes in ovariectomized rats

Background This study investigates Berberine’s (BBR) impact on metabolic and bone changes in ovariectomized rats, a model for postmenopausal conditions.Methods Sixty adult female rats divided into six groups: control, sham ovariectomized, ovariectomized, and three BBR treated ovariectomized groups (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day, for eight weeks). Measurements included serum oestradiol, glucose, HOMA-IR, lipid profile, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), oxidative stress markers, osteocalcin (OC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cross-linked Carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), and bone tissue analysis.Results Ovariectomized rats exhibited significant metabolic and bone deterioration, such as increased glucose, insulin, HOMA IR, total cholestrol (TC), LDL-C, TNF-α, OC, ALP, CTX-I, and MDA levels, alongside decreased oestradiol, HDL-C, and GSH levels, and DNA fragmentation (P < 0.001). BBR treatment showed dose-dependent improvements in all parameters.Conclusion BBR demonstrates significant ameliorative effects on metabolic and bone health in ovariectomized rats, highlighting its potential therapeutic benefits for postmenopausal conditions.