The bone regenerative effects of fucosterol in in vitro and in vivo models of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Scope The aim of this study was to investigate the bone regenerative effects of fucosterol in estrogen-deficient ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Methods and results Bone regeneration was assessed in fucosterol-treated MG63 cells in vitro via assays for osteoblast proliferation, alkaline phosphatase, and osteoclast differentiation. Osteoblast proliferation rates, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization were increased in the fucosterol-treated group. Moreover, differentiation of osteoclasts was decreased in the fucosterol-treated group. In the in vivo assay, female rats were OVX. Twelve weeks after ovariectomy, rats were divided into seven groups, each oral administrate everyday for 7 weeks. The bone mineral density of femoral bones was higher in fucosterol groups than in OVX control, and body weight was lower in fucosterol groups. Among bone-quality parameters, bone volume/total volume increased and trabecular separation decreased in fucosterol groups relative to the OVX control. Bone formation and resorption were evaluated using the serum biomarkers osteocalcin and CTx. Fucosterol tripled the level of serum osteocalcin relative to the OVX group and reduced the serum level of CTx. Conclusion These results suggest that fucosterol has the dual potentials to activate osteoblasts to stimulate bone formation and suppress differentiation of osteoclasts so as to reduce bone resorption.