Puerarin alleviates osteoporosis in rats by targeting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

Xinlei Zhao; Jiaxuan Zhou; Yanqing Liu; Jianguo Wang; Youcai Liu; Beiyu Wang; Caiting Han; Shengjie Zhao; Yijun Zhang

doi:10.17305/bb.2024.10500

Authors

Xinlei Zhao Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
Jiaxuan Zhou Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3958-2302
Yanqing Liu Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
Jianguo Wang Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
Youcai Liu Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
Beiyu Wang Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
Caiting Han Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1813-5655
Shengjie Zhao Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
Yijun Zhang Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4237-4561

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bb.2024.10500

Keywords:

Osteogenesis, puerarin, postmenopausal osteoporosis, JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, bone metabolism, osteporosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis (OP) is a common chronic progressive bone disease that increases fracture risk in postmenopausal women. Research suggests that puerarin (Pue) may be an effective treatment for OP. This study examined the effects and underlying mechanisms of Pue in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) in rats. Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy to simulate PMOP and were then treated with subcutaneous injections of Pue. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using a bone densitometer. Micro-CT scans assessed femur bone structure and various parameters were calculated: bone volume fraction (BV/TV), bone surface density (BS/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and bone surface area-to-bone volume ratio (BS/BV). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was employed to observe femoral tissue pathology. Serum levels of bone formation metabolism-related markers—osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP)—were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expression levels of the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway in bone tissue were evaluated using Western blotting assay. The results showed improved bone density and reduced bone loss in rats treated with Pue. There were also significant increases in serum levels of OC and BALP, indicating enhanced osteogenesis. Furthermore, there was a decrease in activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in femoral tissue, suggesting a pathway inhibition. These findings indicate that Pue may combat osteoporosis by promoting osteogenesis and inhibiting activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway activation.