Background: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors including fluvoxamine maleate (FM) have been shown to induce
osteoporosis. Alendronate sodium (ALS) is anticatabolic agent used for osteoporosis treatment. Ginger (G) is strong antioxidant
having beneficial effects on bone.
Aim: Evaluating the potential protective role of alendronate sodium alone or in combination with ginger against FM-induced
osteoporosis in rats.
Materials and Methods: Sixty female rats were equally divided into six groups and they received their drugs daily for five
weeks. Group I (Control), group II (ALS): received alendronate sodium 1 mg/kg, group III (G): received ginger 500 mg/kg,
group IV (FM): received fluvoxamine maleate 2 mg/kg, group V: received FM+ALS with same doses as previous groups,
group VI: received FM+ALS+G as previous groups. Femur bones were taken and processed for light and scanning electron
microscopic inspection.
Results: Rats treated with FM only revealed signs of osteoporosis as osteoporotic cavities, irregularity and erosion of bone
surface and decreased compact bone thickness. There were highly significant decline in area% of collagen fibers and highly
significant rise in osteoclast count compared to control group. Mild reaction of osteopontin proteins in bone matrix was
observed. Highly significant changes in serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels were detected. Administration of
alendronate sodium with FM in group V minimized these changes, while administration of alendronate sodium and ginger with
FM in group VI showed histological picture near to control group.
Conclusion: Alendronate sodium is useful in the protection against FM-induced osteoporosis and addition of ginger gives
synergistic effect to it.