Osteoporosis is a global problem that affects adversely the post-menopausal women
and elderly men as well. It is defined as a systemic skeletal disease characterized by
low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to
enhanced bone fragility and consequent increase in fracture risk. The present study
aimed to evaluate the effect of Egyptian propolis in the prevention of osteoporosis
induced by ovariectomy (OVX) in rats. The biochemical, bone mineral density
(BMD), histopathological, morphometric and scanning electron microscopic (SEM)
analyses of treated animals were performed. The increase in BMD, serum calcium
(Ca), femur shaft width and decrease in serum osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase,
tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, urinary Ca levels are higher in rats treated with
propolis than those of OVX group, which indicate marked restorative action. SEM
study revealed porous and erosive appearance of femur bone at the epiphyseal
region, shaft and head in the OVX rats when compared with sham operated rats.
Treatment with propolis decreased the resorption and maintained the intactness
andintegrity of the femur surface indicating its usefulness in the prevention of bone
loss.