Low Dose Marantodes pumilum Leaf and Roots Extracts Preserved Bone Structure in Ovariectomized Rats

Background: Marantodes pumilum var.alata, a phytoestrogen-rich herb, has been reported to exert protection on bone of estrogen-deficient animals against osteoporosis.However, comparative osteo-protective activity of its leaf and root extracts has not been fully elucidated.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the osteo-protective effects of aqueous leaf and root extracts of Marantodes pumilum var alata in ovariectomized rat model.Methodology: Twenty-seven female rats were divided into nine groups: sham-operated (Sham); ovariectomized control (OVXC); 64.5 µg kgG 1 dayG 1 estrogen treatment (ERT); 20 mg kgG 1 dayG 1 (MPv20), 50 mg kgG 1 dayG 1 (MPv50) and 100 mg kgG 1 dayG 1 (MPv100) doses leaf extract treatments and; 20 mg kgG 1 dayG 1 (MPr20), 50 mg kgG 1 dayG 1 (MPr50) and 100 mg kgG 1 dayG 1 (MPr100) doses root extract treatment groups.After 8 weeks treatment period, the left femora were excised and investigated using Micro-computed tomography (µ-CT).Results were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test.Results: The MPv20, MPv50 and MPr20 groups showed significantly higher (p<0.05)bone mineral density on the trabecular bone while all treatment groups recorded significantly higher (p<0.05)tissue mineral density on the cortical bone when compared with OVXC group.Trabecular bone number and separation were significantly higher and lower (p<0.05),respectively, in both MPv20 and MPr20 groups.Significantly higher (p<0.05)cortical bone area fraction and thickness in MPv20 group and medullary area in MPr20 group were observed.Conclusion: Lower dose (20 mg kgG 1 dayG 1 ) of both leaf and root extracts of Marantodes pumilum var alata preserved bone mineral density and micro-architecture of estrogen-deficient rats better than higher doses.