Effects of Pueraria mirifica extract on functions and pathogenicites of thoracic aorta and bone in ovariectomized rats

Abstract

This experiment was designed to determine whether a preparation of Pueraria mirifica Airy Shaw and suvatabandhu, a phytoestrogens containing herb, can protect vascular functions and bone turnover in ovariectomized rats thirty two female Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups. Group 1, 2 and 3 were undergone bilateral ovariectomy and orally administered with P. mirifica 100 mg/kg/day (OVX+P. mirifica), subcutaneously injected of estradiol valerate 300 ug/kg/week (OVX+ Estrogen) and distilled water fed (OVX), respectively. Group 4 was sham operated and treated with distilled water (Sham). All of them were treated for 42 consecutive days. At the end of treatments, blood sample were obtained by cardiac puncture for determination of lipid parameters (total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C and triglyceride), nitric oxide (NO) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Descending thoracic aortas were isolated for vascular function measurements and histopathological study. The right femurs were collected and assayed for dry weights, ash weights and calcium contents. The left femurs were prepared for histopathological study. Acetylcholine-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation was significantly impaired in OVX group (p is less than 0.05 vs. normal vessel), but restored in the OVX+P. mirifica and OVX+Estrogen groups. Microscopic examinations of thoracic aortas in the OVX+P. mirifica and the OVX+estrogen groups showed the lesser degree of medial smooth muscle and endothelial cell degenerations. Compared to the OVX group, treatment with P.mirifica resulted in significantly increased in NO production. The P. mirifica and estrogen treatment groups significantly increased in relative dry weight, ash weight of right femurs. Bone degenerative found in microscopic examinations and ALP level were also decreased comparing with the OVX group. These results indicate that treatment with the P. mirifica preparation preserves endothelial vasodilator function and bone structures in ovariectomized rats.