Pharmacological studies on the potential protective activity of wogonin against experimentally induced osteoporosis in rats

Abstract

GIO is one of the most frequently occurring forms of secondary osteoporosis. Glucocorticoids are commonly used immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of many inflammatory, allergic, and autoimmune disorders. Available treatment options for GIO are either associated with side effects or of high cost. Alendronate, bisphosphonate drug, is one of the most commonly used to treat osteoporosis, despite, it has severe gastrointestinal tract disturbances. As a result, need is created not only to treat but also to prevent GIO. Wogonin is a promising naturally occurring flavonoid derived from Scutellaria Radix. This is one of the most investigated and precious components of Scutellaria Radix. Several studies reported its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antiallergic, antidiabetic, neuroprotective and antitumor activities. In vitro studies showed that wogonin had a promising antiosteoporotic activity through decreasing RANKL/OPG ratio and decreasing TRAP expression. Hence, we vindicated that wogonin has a promising protective activity against GIO. Wogonin is strongly recommended for cancer patients who mainly use glucocorticoids beside chemotherapy, as it has both antitumor and antiosteoporotic activities. The present study aimed at investigating the possible protective activity of wogonin against GIO in vivo. Female Sprague Dawley rats (60 rats) were divided into 6 groups; healthy control, osteoporotic rats, osteoporotic rats cotreated orally with alendronate 0.2 mg/animal/day, osteoporotic rats cotreated intraperitoneally with wogonin either 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg or 60 mg/kg daily for 5 weeks. The main findings of the current study can be summarized in Fig. 20, 21 and concurrent treatment with wogonin in DEX-induced osteoporotic rats showed the following: 1. Significantly increased trabecular bone thickness and trabecular bone percent change.