Does Panchatikta ghrita have anti-osteoporotic effect? Assessment in an experimental model in ovariectomized rats

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a public health problem in the elderly wherein a decrease in bone mass and mineral density increases the at risk of fractures. Panchatikta Ghrita (PG) is a classical Ayurvedic formulation that may help slow bone degeneration. OBJECTIVE: This experimental study was conducted to assess the efficacy of Panchatikta ghrita (PG) in protecting against postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was initiated after Institutional Animal Ethics Committee approval. 96 female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 8 groups viz. sham control (NC), diseased control (DC), vehicle control (VC), 3 test drug (PG) groups (PG1, PG2 & PG3 - 0.9, 1.8 and 2.7gm/kg body weight respectively) and 2 standard control (SC) groups - SC1 received 17α-ethinylestradiol 1μg/kg/day while SC2 received alendronate (7mg/kg/week). Study medications were administereddaily for four months. Bone specific biomarkers viz. osteocalcin and TRAP-5b were estimated at baseline and end of study. Animals were sacrificed on day 121 and their femurs and tibiae were harvested for histomorphometric analysisand bone microarchitectural studies. RESULTS: Serum osteocalcin and TRAP-5b showed significant increase (p < 0.001) in levels in DC group as compared to sham controls. All 3 doses of PG decreased bone specific biomarker levels with maximal effect seen with highest dose of PG similar to that seen with standard drugs. PG also significantly improved bone micro architectural parameters like bone mineral density and mineral content at higher dose levels. Decrease in osteoclasts and significant dose dependent increase in bone hardness and elasticity was seen with PG which was comparable to standard drugs. CONCLUSION: PG increased bone mineral density and content, decreased turnover of bone specific biomarkers and osteoclast formation, indicating its protective effect against experimentally induced postmenopausal osteoporosis.