Study of the Effect of Some Medicinal Herbs on Osteoporosis in Rats

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, involving inflammation and major structural changes of the joint, causing pain and functional disability. Pain and stiffness, particularly after exercise, are the major symptoms, resulting in considerable impact on ability to perform activities of daily living. There is discordance between symptoms and radiographic changes, with some sufferers not experiencing symptoms, but showing osteoarthritic changes on X-ray. Ginger and compounds isolated there from include immuno-modulatory, anti-tumorigenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-lipidemic and anti-emetic actions. Ginger is a strong anti-oxidant substance and may either mitigate or prevent generation of free radicals. It is considered a safe herbal medicine with only few and insignificant adverse side effects . Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, which have been mainly attributed to curcumin, a diarylheptanoid compound. However, turmeric oil containing ar-turmerone, turmerone and curlone showed antioxidant effects and may provide an explanation for their antimutagenic action This turmeric oil also has anti-bacterial activity. Turmeric is a rich source of various volatile oils, including turmerone, atlantone, zingiberone, and other constituents such as sugars, proteins, resins, lignin, salts, resins. The root contains 10% resin which is a glucosideand Phytochemical. The present study was performed to examine the effect of ginger and turmeric consumption on liver function (ALT, AST) , phosphorus, total calcium , ionized calcium, x-ray and histopathology on osteoporosis rats induced by prednisone acetate at a dose of 4 mg / kg bw three time a week for three weeks. On the other hand, the chemical constituent’s moisture, protein, fat, crude fibre, total digestible nutrients, ash, carbohydrate, phosphorous, calcium was determined for the tested ginger and turmeric. In addition to, volatile compounds and analysis of phytochemicals was determined for the tested ginger and turmeric. This work was carried out on fourty eight non-pregnant female albino rats (age 6 to 8 weeks and about 160 to 210g body weight) classified into two main groups. The first main group (6) fed on basal diet and the second main group (42 rats) injected with prednisone acetate at a dose of 4 mg / kg bw three time a week for three weeks to cause osteoporosis and divided into seven subgroups such as each group consists of (6rats). Then fed on basal diet containing 10% -15% ginger, 10% -15% turmeric and10% -15% ginger and turmeric.