Catechin-rich oil palm leaf extract enhances bone calcium content of estrogen-deficient rats

• Published in: Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 667 - 672
• Main Authors: Bakhsh, Ahdab, M.Sc, Mustapha, Noordin Mohamed, Ph.D, Mohamed, Suhaila, Ph.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.04.2013; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Alkaline phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase - blood; Animals; Arecaceae - chemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; Body weight; Bone and Bones - chemistry; Bone and Bones - metabolism; Bone and Bones - pathology; Bone calcium content; Bone Density; Bone Density Conservation Agents - administration & dosage; Bone Density Conservation Agents - chemistry; Bone Density Conservation Agents - therapeutic use; Calcium; Calcium - analysis; Calcium - metabolism; Catechin - administration & dosage; Catechin - analysis; Catechin - therapeutic use; Dietary Supplements; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Drinking water; Estrogen deficiency; Estrogens; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Green tea; Humans; Malaysia; Medical sciences; Oil palm leaves; Osteoblasts - metabolism; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - metabolism; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - pathology; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - prevention & control; Osteoporosis. Osteomalacia. Paget disease; Ovariectomy - adverse effects; Phytoestrogens - administration & dosage; Phytoestrogens - chemistry; Phytoestrogens - therapeutic use; Pituitary gland; Plant extracts; Plant Extracts - administration & dosage; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Polyphenols; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rodents; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Malaysia; Polyphenols; Osteoporosis; Oil palm leaves; Bone calcium content; Estrogen deficiency; Flavanol; Calcium; Rat; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Estrogen; Vegetable oil; Extract; Inorganic element; Flavonoid; Osteoarticular system; Polyphenol; Plant part; Proanthocyanidin; Catechin; Deficiency; Rodentia; Plant leaf; Antioxidant; Edible oil; Ovarian hormone; Micronutrient; Vertebrata; Palm oil; Mammalia; Animal; Bone; Sex steroid hormone
• ISSN: 0899-9007; 1873-1244
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2012.09.005

Abstract Objective Postmenopausal estrogen deficiency often causes bone density loss and osteoporosis. This study evaluated the effects of an oral administration of oil palm leaf extract (OPL) on bone calcium content and structure, bone density, ash weights, and serum total alkaline phosphatase (T-ALP) of estrogen-deficient ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Methods Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five experimental groups: 1) intact (normal control); 2) ovariectomized (OVX control), and OVX rats supplemented with 3) 2% (w/v) green tea (OVX + GT), 4) OPL 150 mg/kg of body weight, or 5) OPL 300 mg/kg of body weight in the drinking water. Results After 3 mo, the OVX control rats had significantly decreased femur and tibia masses (−5% and −3%, respectively), ash (−15% and −10%), calcium content (−0.5% and −2.7%), and bone density and T-ALP concentrations (−40%) compared with intact rats. The catechin-rich OPL dose dependently increased the OVX bone density and structure, femur and tibia masses (by +8% and +12% respectively), ash (by +30% and +20% respectively), calcium (by +3% and +5%), and T-ALP concentrations (by +76%) compared with the OVX rats. The increases by OPL were higher than that in OVX + GT and control intact rats. Conclusion The catechin-rich OPL increased the bone mass in estrogen-deficient rats by increasing osteoblast activities to higher levels than in normal rats and those supplemented with GT. This was shown by the modulation of serum T-ALP levels, bone calcium content, total mineral content, and bone histologic structure. The OPL is a potential inexpensive ingredient for protection against osteoporosis and influences bone metabolism by encouraging bone formation.