Application of Herbal Medicines in the Management of Osteoporosis in the Veterinary Field: A Systematic Review of in-vivo Studies

Background: Osteoporosis is a significant public health problem in the world, which is associated with reduced bone density and increased risk of fracture. Due to the side effects of common chemical drugs, there has been an increased interest in using natural alternatives such as herbal compounds. Although several in vitro studies have shown the effects of these compounds, stronger evidence based on animal models (in vivo) is necessary to confirm these effects. This systematic review aims to collect, evaluate, and analyze the available evidence from in vivo studies on the effectiveness of various herbal compounds on osteoporosis indicators. Methods: This study was conducted as a systematic review with an extensive search in reputable databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, to identify relevant articles published from January ۲۰۱۹ to December ۲۰۲۴. The keywords used included the Persian and English equivalents of "herbal compounds", "osteoporosis", "animal models", "in vivo", "bone density", and "fracture". Inclusion criteria were in vivo experimental studies in animal models (usually ovariectomized mice) that investigated the effects of purified plant compounds or standardized extracts on biochemical, histomorphometric, and mechanical parameters of bone. The quality of included studies was assessed using standard guidelines. Results: Of the ۹۵۰ retrieved studies, ۶۲ studies met the inclusion criteria. Data analysis showed that plant compounds, including isoflavones (e.g., genistein), resveratrol, curcumin, and lignans, significantly improved bone mineral density (BMD), increased trabecular volume, decreased trabecular spacing, decreased markers of bone resorption (e.g., CTX), and increased markers of bone formation (e.g., Osteocalcin) in animal models of osteoporosis. More importantly, these compounds exerted their protective effects on bone tissue through various mechanisms, including inhibition of osteoclast activity, enhancement of osteoblast differentiation, modulation of RANKL/OPG signaling pathways, as well as potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Conclusion: The findings of this systematic review clearly demonstrate that several herbal compounds have significant therapeutic potential in experimental models of osteoporosis. By targeting the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease, these compounds can both prevent bone resorption and promote new bone formation. However, to translate these promising findings from the in vitro setting to clinical applications, detailed human studies and randomized clinical trials are necessary to determine the effective dose, safety, and pharmacokinetics of these compounds in humans.

کلیدواژه ها:

Herbal compounds ، osteoporosis ، in vivo studies ، animal models ، bone density