The potential use of phytoestrogen containing the herb, Pueraria mirifica, for bone healing in osteoporotic monkeys

Abstract

Within the last decade, the positive effects of Pueraria mirifica on osteoporosis have been established in rats
and monkeys. However, the effect of P. mirifica on bone healing has not been elucidated. In this study, post-menopausal
osteoporotic monkeys were subjected to an iliac crest biopsy, divided into two groups (5 animals/group), and fed daily
with standard monkey diet alone (PMP0 group) or mixed with 1,000 mg/kg body weight of P. mirifica powder
(PMP1000 group) for 16 months. The progression of the bone healing was continuously assessed by X-ray radiography,
and three individuals from each group were selected for a computed tomographic (CT) scan at 0, 8 and 16 months. The
individual from each group that showed the greatest progression of bone healing, based upon the CT image, was
selected for a second biopsy of the right ilium after 16 months of treatment and histological changes determined. The
perimeter and area measured by the X-ray radiograph were significantly decreased earlier in the PMP1000 group
compared to the PMP0 group, and the significant differences of the perimeter between the groups were detected in
month 3, 6 and 8. The 3D-CT scan showed a progressive bone healing in one PMP1000 individual, while histological
examination indicated a lower number of fibrocartilage cells and a higher amount of new bone formation compared to
the PMP0 monkey. In conclusion, PMP treatment could accelerate the progression of bone fracture healing in naturally
postmenopausal osteoporotic monkeys, in addition to the previously reported amelioration of bone loss.