Dried pomegranate potentiates anti-osteoporotic and anti-obesity activities of red clover dry extracts in ovariectomized rats

Nutrients. 2015 Apr 9;7(4):2622-47. doi: 10.3390/nu7042622.

Abstract

Red clover (RC) shows potential activity against menopausal symptoms and pomegranates have antioxidative and beneficial effects on postmenopausal symptoms; thus, we investigated whether the anti-climacteric activity of RC could be enhanced by the addition of dried pomegranate concentrate powder (PCP) extracts in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Regarding the anti-osteoporotic effects, bone mineral density increased significantly in OVX induced rats treated with 60 and 120 mg/kg of an RC:PCP 2:1 mixture, respectively, compared with OVX control rats. Additionally, femoral, tibia, and L4 bone resorption was decreased in OVX induced control rats treated with the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture (60 and 120 mg/kg), respectively, compared with OVX control rats. Regarding anti-obesity effects, the OVX induced rats treated with 60 and 120 mg/kg of the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture showed a decrease in total fat pad thickness, the mean diameters of adipocytes and the body weights gain compared with OVX induced control rats. The estradiol and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased in OVX induced rats treated with the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture (120 mg/kg) compared with OVX induced control rats, also, the uterine atrophy was significantly inhibited in 60 and 120 mg/kg of the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture treatment compared with OVX control rats. In conclusion, our results indicate that PCP enhanced the anti-climacteric effects of RC in OVX rats. The RC:PCP 2:1 mixture used in this study may be a promising new potent and protective agent for relieving climacteric symptoms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
  • Animals
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Bone Density / drug effects
  • Bone Resorption / drug therapy
  • Desiccation
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Female
  • Femur / drug effects
  • Femur / metabolism
  • Fruit*
  • Lythraceae*
  • Osteocalcin / blood
  • Osteoporosis / drug therapy*
  • Ovariectomy
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Preparations / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Tibia / drug effects
  • Tibia / metabolism
  • Trifolium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plant Preparations
  • Osteocalcin
  • Estradiol
  • Alkaline Phosphatase