Anti-osteoporotic effect of medical herbs and calcium supplementation on ovariectomized rats

Estrogen deficiency and insufficient calcium in diet in postmenopause create serious problems with resultant osteoporosis and fractures. In the present study, forty adult albino rats weighting 200–220 g were used and divided into five groups. Group 1, control group included non-ovariectomized untreated rats. Group 2, ovariectomized)OVX) rats. Group 3, OVX rats daily received CaCO₃ (27 mg/kg b.w.). Group 4, OVX rats daily received a mixture of herbs (sage, rosemary and thyme) (30 g/kg b.w.). Group 5, OVX rats daily received both herb mixture and CaCO₃. The results showed significant decrease in serum calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (P), total proteins (TP), calcitonin, bone mass density (BMD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) in OVX rats compared to the control group. While a significant increase in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) were recorded. Also the recorded data showed increases in femur, tibia and vertebral lipid peroxidation (MAD) content and the activities of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in the ovariectomized rats. On the other hand, when OVX rats were fed on sage, rosemary and thyme supplemented diets or CaCO₃ in a single or in combination, the data recorded a significant improvement in all the above mentioned parameters. Finally, the results of this study indicated that the combination of common herbs (sage, rosemary and thyme) with calcium carbonate, was more effective in reduction and prevention of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. So, it can be concluded that consumption of mixed herbs supplemented diets might be considered as a functional food for retarding risks of osteoporosis associated with estrogen deficiency in OVX states.