Evaluation of antiosteoporosis activity of ethanolic extract of Punica granatum Linn. seeds in ovariectomized-induced osteoporosis rats

Aim: Osteoporosis is a common disease worldwide and characterized by low bone mass and the progressive destruction of bone microstructure, resulting in an increased bone fragility and risk of fracture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-osteoporotic activity of ethanolic extract of Punica granatum seeds (EPGS) in ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of osteoporosis using three different doses of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg body weight per day. Materials and Methods: Healthy female albino rats were divided into six groups (n = 6). The first group was sham-operated normal and the remaining groups were OVX. Group 2 was fed with equivolume of saline and served as OVX control. Groups 3–6 were orally treated with estrogen (2 mg/kg) and EPGS (100, 300, and 500 mg/kg), for 90 days, respectively. The biomechanical, biochemical, and histopathological parameters were evaluated. Results and Discussion: Compared to the OVX control group, treatment groups showed increased femoral length, weight, volume, density (P < 0.001), and fourth lumbar hardness (P < 0.001). In addition, statistically significant changes were observed in biochemical parameters. There was a significant (P < 0.001) increase in ash, ash weight, and calcium level which was observed in the femoral bone of OVX rats. Histopathological evaluation of the femur section of EPGS treated groups showed significant restorative progress with increased ossification and mineralization. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the EPGS had a significant therapeutic activity over osteoporosis associated with estrogen deficiency.