Background: Osteoporosis is a bone disorder, occurs due to disruption of bone remodeling. Primary osteoporosis is observed in post-menopausal women and aging population. Glucocorticoids are implicated as a main cause for secondary osteoporosis. Pharmacological treatments for osteoporosis cause adverse effects thus using natural herbs is preferable. Flaxseeds may has a key role in enhancing bone mass.
Objectives: To assess the therapeutic efficacy of flaxseeds against glucocorticoids induced osteoporosis in alveolar bone of rats.
Materials and Methods: A total of 45 adult albino female rats were divided into three equal groups, Control group I, Glucocorticoid group II and Flaxseed treated group III. All rats will be fed on basal diet (BD). Rats in group II and III received Methylprednisolone 5 mg/kg 5 days per week by subcutaneous injection for 4 weeks. After induction of osteoporosis, rats in group III were fed with BD supplemented with 7% flaxseeds daily for 8 weeks. After 12 weeks, rats were euthanized. The mandible was dissected and prepared for scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDX).
RESULTS: It was found that the alveolar bone in the control group had normal ultrastructural traits. There were alterations to the ultrastructure of the cortical bone surface in the glucocorticoid group. The trabecular bone also had wide marrow spaces and poorly developed trabeculae. Compared to group II, group III had a more regular cortical bone surface with well architecture trabeculae and narrow marrow spaces.
CONCLUSION: Flaxseeds is suggested as a therapeutic approach for alveolar bone osteoporosis.