Protective effect of fucoxanthin on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats

Background: The necessity for development of antiosteoporotic drug is receiving increased attention because of high mortality and morbidity rates arising globally. The natural herbal-based compounds such as fucoxanthin possessed greater therapeutic potentials in biomedical field. Objective: We planned to investigate the therapeutic effect of fucoxanthin on ovariectomy-stimulated osteoporosis in experimental rats. Hence, the study is conducted to evaluate the protective effect of fucoxanthin against ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Materials and Methods: Healthy adult female SD rats weighing about 230–245 g were randomized into four groups of six animals each. Group I served as sham-operated control. Group II served as model (ovariectomized [OVX]) rats. OVX rats were administered with fucoxanthin at a dose of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg orally for 16 weeks which served as Group III and Group IV, respectively. Results: A significant increase in body weight and decrease in uterine index was observed in OVX rats, whereas treatment with fucoxanthin substantially reverted the body weight and uterine mass. Bone turnover markers (Ca, P, and osteocalcin), levels of estrogen and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol 1,25(OH)2D3, osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, and inflammatory markers were reverted back to a significant extent by treatment with fucoxanthin. The biomechanical stability of bones was significantly increased with administration of fucoxanthin. The findings were also substantiated by histopathological analysis. Conclusion: Based on the outcome of the results, it can be concluded that fucoxanthin showed better protection against osteoporosis by improving bone mineral content and bone density in addition to biomechanical parameters.