Benincasa hispida Extract Prevents Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis in Female ICR Mice

With the increase in bone metabolic diseases owing to the aging of the global population, interest in functional food ingredients for improving bone health is increasing. This study aimed to determine the anti-osteoporosis effect of Benincasa hispida extract (BHE, HR1901-W) and 2-furoic acid in ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis in female ICR mice. Thirty-five female ICR mice underwent OVX or sham operation and were randomized into seven groups of five animals as follows: normal, sham, OVX, OVX with genistein (10 mg/kg), 2-furoic acid (20 mg/kg), LBHE (100 mg/kg), and HBHE (200 mg/kg). After an 8-week treatment period, femur and blood samples were collected from mice. Bone density and bone formation markers were significantly recovered in the 2-furoic acid and HBHE supplementation groups compared with those in the OVX group. In addition, bone resorption markers were increased in OVX mice, whereas they were significantly decreased in the OVX + 2-furoic acid and HBHE supplementation groups. This study suggests that BHE supplementation prevents bone resorption and promotes bone formation in OVX mice. These findings indicate that BHE could be used as a promising natural means to prevent OVX-induced osteoporosis and bone metabolic diseases.