Preventive Effects of Bee Pollen Cistus ladaniferus Extract on Bone Loss in Streptozotocin-Diabetic Rats In Vivo

The effect of bee pollen cistus extract on serum and bone biochemical components in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats was investigated. The water-solubilized extracts were obtained from the bee pollen of Cistus ladaniferus. Rats received a single subcutaneous administration of STZ (6.0 mg/100 g body weight), and then the animals were orally administered water-solubilized extract (5, 10, or 20 mg/100 g body weight) of bee pollen cistus once daily for 14 days. The administration of STZ caused a significant decrease in body weight and a significant increase in serum glucose, triglyceride, and calcium levels, indicating a diabetic state. These alterations were significantly prevented by the administration of the extract (5, 10, or 20 mg/100 g). Serum inorganic phosphorus concentration was significantly decreased in STZ-diabetic rats, and the decrease was significantly prevented after administration of the extract of 10 or 20 mg/100 g. Calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity in the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues were significantly decreased in STZ-diabetic rats. These decrease were significantly prevented after administration of the extract of 10 or 20 mg/100 g. The disphyseal DNA content was also significantly decreased in STZ-diabetic rats. This decrease was significantly prevented after the administration of the extract of 10 or 20 mg/100 g. This study demonstrates that the intake of bee pollen cistus extract has preventive effects on bone loss in STZ-diabetic rats, and that the intake has partial restorative effects on serum biochemical findings with the diabetic state.