Dandelion and turmeric inhibit bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclasts

The publication:

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Screening of Korean medicinal plants for possible osteoclastogenesis effects in vitro

Summary of the abstract or see the free full text publication

Bone undergoes continuous remodeling through bone formation and resorption, and maintaining the balance for skeletal rigidity. Bone resorption and loss are generally attributed to osteoclasts.

Differentiation of osteoclasts is regulated by receptor activator of nuclear factor NF-kB ligand (RANKL), a member of tumor necrosis factor family. When the balance is disturbed, pathological bone abnormality ensues.

Through the screening of traditional Korean medicinal plants, the effective molecules for inhibition and stimulation of RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in mouse bone marrow macrophages were identified. Among 222 methanol extracts, of medicinal plants, 10 samples exhibited ability to induce osteoclast differentiation.

In contrast, Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Taraxacum platycarpa (dandelion) showed inhibitory effects in RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation.

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Comments:

Excess bone resorption is a characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis

Excessive osteoclastogenesis or activation of mature osteoclasts causes bone destruction. Excessive osteoclastogenesis is implicated as contributing to the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.

Prevention of excess osteoclast activity can be protective, especially in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, characterized by excess bone resorption.

The present study suggests that dandelion and turmeric exert a bone protective effect the inhibition of NF-kB.