Effect of Angelica keiskei on Tibial Bone Volume in Osteopenia

Chalcones possess various biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. The roots of Angelica keiskei (AK) KOIDZUMI are abundant in chalcones such as xanthoangelols and 4-hydroxyderricin. These roots have traditionally been used as a health food with diuretic, laxative, analeptic and galactagogic effects. Objectives: In the present study, we examined the effects of roots of AK on bone volume in osteoporotic rat. Methods: Female rats at 6 weeks of age were divided into 3 groups of 6 rats. Two groups of them were ovariectomized bilaterally (OVX, AK) and the other group was subjected to sham surgery (Sham). Immediately after ovariectomy, OVX group were given low Ca (0.50%) powder diet, whereas AK group fed low Ca powder diet containing 1% AK. AK was provided from Takara Bio Inc., Japan. Sham group fed normal Ca diet (1.15%). Animals were scarified 4 weeks after the operation, and mesial proximal tibia was embedded in methyl methacrylates. Grinding sections of the tibia were evaluated by bone histomorphometry. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. Results: The trabecular bone volume in OVX group (14.2±2.5%) was significantly lower than that of the Sham group (34.8±7.1%) induced by ovariectomy and low Ca diet (p<0.01). Administration of AK increased bone volume (20.4±1.9%) compared with OVX group (p<0.01). Conclusion: These findings indicate that AK has a possibility to be a useful prophylaxis agent for osteopenia.