Aim of the Work: To evaluate the role of Alendronic acid (Fosamax), vitamin K2, and/or fennel essential oil in treating ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in adult female albino rats.
Materials and Methods: Forty-eight adult female Wistar albino rats weighing 180±20g, aging 12-14 weeks were divided into the following groups: Group I (control group). Group II (sham-operated group), and group III (ovariectomized group). Bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) was performed for thirty rats and twelve weeks later, rats were further subdivided equally into five subgroups. Group IIIa (osteoporotic group); Group IIIb (Fosamax-treated group).Group IIIc (Mena Q- treated group); Group IIId (Fennel oil-treated group); Group IIIe (Mena Q and Fennel-treated group). All treatments were administered by oro-gastric tube and were continued for 12 weeks. Serum analysis was assessed for the appropriate laboratory tests. Femur bone specimens were processed for histological examination. Morphometric and statistical analyses were performed.
Results: The osteoporotic group showed a non-homogenous acidophilic matrix with osteoporotic cavities, large bony tunnels, areas devoid of osteocytes, empty lacunae, and unevenly eroded endosteum. These findings were supported by a significant decrease in serum calcium and phosphorus levels coupled with a significant increase in levels of the enzymes bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and a significant reduction in the area percentage of collagen fibers and Periodic-Acid-Schiff reaction within the bone matrix. The immunohistochemical studies detected a positive RANKL immune expression in the osteoporotic cavities and weak osteopontin expression within the bone matrix. Whereas, Fosamax, Vitamin K2, and fennel essential oil revealed obvious improvement in the histological changes depicted previously.
Conclusion: Combined administration of fennel essential oil and Vitamin K2 has a more pronounced enhancing healing effect in PMO than Vitamin K2, fennel separately, or Fosamax. This could be attributed to the synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in addition to the potent estrogenic effect of fennel.