Flavonoids, found in a wide variety of foods and plants, are considered to play an important role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Our previous studies demonstrated that Erythrina cortex extract (EC) rich in prenylated isoflavonoids exerted bone protective effects in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The present study aimed to investigate the interactions of gut microbiota with the EC extract to explore the underlying mechanisms involved in its beneficial effects on bone. Sprague-Dawley female rats of 3-months-old were ovariectomized and treated with EC extract for 12 weeks. EC extract reversed ovariectomy-induced deterioration of bone mineral density and bone microarchitecture as well as downregulated cathepsin K (Ctsk) and upregulated runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the tibia of OVX rats. Its protective effects on bone were correlated with changes in microbial richness and the restorations of several genera. EC increased the serum circulating levels of acetate and propionate in OVX rats. We conclude that the bone protective effects of EC extract were associated with the changes in microbial compositions and serum short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in OVX rats.
Keywords: Erythrinae cortex; gut microbiota; ovariectomy rats; prenylated flavonoids; short chain fatty acids.