ANTIOSTEOPOROTIC ACTIVITY OF ROOT EXTRACT OF RUBIA CORDIFOLIA IN METHYL PREDNISOLONE ACTETATE INDUCED OSTEOPOROTIC RATS

The main aim of the study was to carry out and investigate the Antiosteoporotic activity of ethanolic root extract of Rubia cordifolia (EERC) in Methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) induced osteoporotic rats. Acute oral toxicity was performed according to OECD guidelines 425 in albino mice and extract was found to be safe upto 2000 mg/kg. All the rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6 each). Group I (normal control) received water for injection s.c., Group II MPA (0.2 mg/kg, s.c) positive control, Group III was MPA (0.2 mg/kg, s.c) + standard drug Alendronate (200 ?g/kg, p.o), Group IV& V received EERC (200 mg/kg & 400 mg/kg, p.o) + MPA (0.2 mg/kg, s.c) respectively and treated for 4 weeks. The serum biochemical markers revealed dose dependent restoration of calcium, ALP and TRAP which was significant (P<0.0001) when compared to MPA control. Similarly, the findings from bone biomechanical parameters also found to have significant changes, where bone mechanical strength (P<0.0001) and bone mineral content was also significantly increased (P<0.0001) by improving calcium absorption and enhanced osteoblastic activity nearly to normal levels in rats treated with EERC. Furthermore, SEM data of femur bones of EERC (200 and 400 mg/kg) treated rats showed reduced pore formation and improved bone compactness. All these results significantly indicate a possible antiosteoporotic activity of EERC. In addition, further studies are required to determine the active components that are responsible for its antiosteoporotic activity. Keywords: Rubia cordifolia, Methylprednisolone (MPA), Osteoporosis, Biochemical parameters, Ash content, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM).