Anhuienoside C Ameliorates Osteoclast Differentiation in Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis by Regulating RANKL/Wnt Signaling Pathways

Abstract

Postmenopausal and ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis is the most common bone disorder. While pharmacotherapy has been valuable in the management of osteoporosis, it has been associated with undesired side effects. Plant bioactives with minimal side effects have been seen as adjunct to classical therapy. Herein, we have evaluated the protective effect of anhuienoside C (AC) in a rat model of ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. The treatment of osteoporotic rats with AC caused dose-dependent favorable changes in biochemical markers of bone formation and metabolism (osteocalcin, C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen, and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide), enhanced bone mineral density, and decrease in proinflammatory mediators of inflammation and RANKL/Wnt pathway proteins. Furthermore, histopathologic changes in the tibia support beneficial effects of AC. In conclusion, our result reveals that treatment with AC shows beneficial effect against ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis by regulating the RANKL/Wnt pathway.