Effect of Asparagus Racemosus Willd Root Extract on Ovariectomized Rats

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease, characterized by increased porosity of the skeleton resulting from re- duced bone mass, the associated structural changes predispose the bone to fracture. The drug discovery process in this di- rection is very attractive, because of non-availability of suitable, safe and effective means for the management of this con- dition. The objective of the study was to evaluate antiosteoporotic activity of Asparagus racemosus. Ovariectomized rats model was used in this study for evaluation. Effects were evaluated by using biomechanical, bone mineral, serum and urine biochemical parameters. The effect on health status during the treatment was evaluated by regularly checking the overall body weight of the ovariectomized rats. In this study no significant change in body weight was observed. Metha- nolic and Aqueous extract obtained from Asparagus racemosus root has shown significant (p<0.05) effect on mineraliza- tion, ossification and osteoclastic activity suppression were observed in histopathological examination. Significant (p<0.05) increase in total ash weight, ash percent and ash calcium content were obtained. Treatments of ovariectomized rats by extract significantly reduced serum alkaline phosphatase activity, serum calcium and also inhibited the ovariec- tomized induced excessive loss of calcium in urine. Treatment of Aqueous and Methanolic extract of Asparagus racemo- sus also improved biomechanical parameters including hardness of 4 th lumbar vertebra, femoral length and its weight. We conclude from this study that phytosterols and other active constituents present in the root of Asparagus racemosus may effect on estrogen receptor similar to estrogen and produce antiosteoporotics effect. However, activity based fractionation and isolation of active constituents, is required to establish potency, safety and its clinical applicability in osteoporotic condition.