Anti-Osteoporotic Activity of Pueraria lobata Fermented with Lactobacillus paracasei JS1 by Regulation of Osteoblast Differentiation and Protection against Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Mice

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease associated with low bone mineral density. It is the process of bone loss and is most commonly caused by decreased estrogen production in women, particularly after menopause. Pueraria lobata, which contains various metabolites, especially isoflavone, is widely known as regulator for bone mineral contents. In this study, the effects of the P. lobata extract (PE) with or without fermentation with Lactobacillus paracasei JS1 (FPE) on osteoporosis were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The effects of PE and FPE on human osteoblastic MG63 cells, RAW 264.7 cells, and ovariectomized (OVX)-induced model mice were analyzed at various ratios. We found that FPE increased calcium deposition and inhibited bone resorption by in vitro assay. Furthermore, treatment with PE and FPE has significantly restored destroyed trabecular bone in the OVX-induced bone loss mouse model. Overall, FPE demonstrated bioactivity to prevent bone loss by decreasing bone turnover.