EVALUATION OF ANTI-OSTEOPOROTIC ACTIVITY OF ASTHIPOSHAK TABLETS IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS

Osteoporosis is a condition that makes the bones porous, fragile, and prone to fractures.  Although it is very prevalent in elderly people, it is more common in women, especially after menopause. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Asthiposhak Tablets on their anti-osteoporotic activity in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Thirty-two female albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=8). Group 1 served as sham-operated control. Group 2 rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and served as a negative control. Group 3 received raloxifene (5.4 mg/kg i.p.) and served as the standard control, and Group 4 received Asthiposhak (405 mg/kg p.o.) and served as treatment control. After 60 days of ovariectomy, animals were treated with Asthiposhak for the next 45 days. At the end of the study, femur bone length, weight, bone ash calcium level, and bone mineral density (BMD) were estimated. The levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium, and phosphorous, and bone histopathology were also evaluated. OVX-induced increased serum ALP, calcium, and phosphorous levels were significantly attenuated in Asthiposhak-treated rats. Asthiposhak treatment significantly prevented an OVX-induced increase in body weight. The calcium content in bone ash was significantly increased on Asthiposhak treatment indicating remineralization of bones. OVX-induced decrease in BMD was significantly reversed in Asthiposhak-treated animals. Femur bone histopathology revealed increased trabecular thickness and decreased osteoclast formation in Asthiposhak-treated animals. Asthiposhak exhibited a significant anti-osteoporotic effect in the experimental model of OVX-induced osteoporosis in rats. These results indicate Asthiposhak can be beneficial in postmenopausal osteoporosis.