Anti-osteoporotic activity of ethanol extract of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. on ovariectomized rats

Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn., a widely growing plant in India, possesses different medicinal properties and its bark is well known for their bone remineralization properties. The objective of present study was to evaluate antiosteoporotic activity of ethanol extract of T. arjuna (EET) on ovariectomized female Sprague Dawley model rats, divided into six groups. Sham operated control group received vehicle, standard group received estrogen (0.0563 mg/kg) and the remaining ovariectomized groups were orally administered with EET at 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively for 42 days. The findings were assessed by uterine weight, bone loss determined by CT-scanning of femur, ash content, biomechanical, biochemical and histopathological parameters. Ethanol extract showed significant increase in uterine weight and femoral bone length, weight, density and significant increase of ash weight, ash percentage, ash calcium and hardness in lumbar vertebrae as compared to control group. EET treated groups also showed significant decrease level of creatinine, calcium and phosphorus (p<0.01 to p<0.001) as compared to control group. Histopathological studies further supported protective effect of the extract. These findings suggest a potential protective role of EET against estrogen deficient osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.