Anti-osteoporotic effect of Eucommia ulmoides cortex in ovariectomized rats

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver, rich in polyphenolic compounds such as lignans, phenolic acid, and flavonoids, is a herbal medicine of tonifying kidney with a long history of safe use for treatment of bone fractures and joint diseases in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate anti-osteoporotic effect of E. ulmoides in ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of postmenopausal bone loss. E. ulmoides was extracted with 70% ethanol for 3h at 80°C in a reflux apparatus. The Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with 2% of isoflurane and ovaries were removed bilaterally. Rats were divided into four groups, which treated by vehicle, 17β-estradiol (10µg/kg, i.p) and E. ulmoides (100 and 300mg/kg, p.o), daily for 8 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly increased in the E. ulmoides 300mg/kg treatment group without affecting body weight. Also, E. ulmoides at 300mg/kg for 8 weeks significantly decreased ALP levels compared to OVX control group. These results suggest that E. ulmoides is effective at preventing bone loss in OVX rats.