Evaluation of Antiosteoporotic potential of Sesbania grandiflora Linn. aqueous fraction in Ovariectomised Rats

Sesbania grandiflora (SG), an Indian herbal drug has been traditionally employed to treat or prevent female related hormonal disorders and mitigating symptoms of menopausal conditions. The present study assessed the antiosteoporotic potential of the aqueous extract of Sesbania grandiflora on bone metabolism in ovariectomised (OVX) rat model and its safety in the uterus. Thirty Sprague-Dawley 6 months old female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Sham operated group and four OVX subgroups (n=6), that were undergone bilateral ovariectomy. OVX rats were further subdivided into vehicle, raloxifene 5.4mg/kg/day, Sesbania grandiflora aqueous leaf extracts–250mg/kg/day and 500mg/kg/day respectively. The pharmacological effects of the extract were evaluated against osteoporosis by body weight, uterus wet weight, serum and urine biochemical parameters, bone mineral density, biomechanical strength, trabecular microarchitecture, histomorphology and uterus immunohistochemistry. Daily oral administration of aqueous leaf extract significantly assuages the symptoms of ovariectomy as shown by decreased levels of serum ALP, TRAP, hydroxyproline and urinary calcium in the treatment groups. Moreover, improved femur parameters were seen as increased bone strength, BMD, trabecular bone mass and microarchitecture similar to raloxifene. Histopathological data also showed significant restorative progression with increased ossification and mineralization of trabecular bone, without uterine hypertrophy. The results suggests that Sesbania grandiflora had a remarkable antiosteoporotic activity and may be a promising candidate for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis induced by estrogen deficiency in a natural way through herbal resources.