Antrodia cinnamomea prevents ovariectomized‐promoted bone loss by inhibiting osteoclast formation

Osteoporosis is a common bone disease in aging populations, particularly in postmenopausal women. Anti‐resorptive and anabolic drugs have been applied to prevent and cure osteoporosis and are linked with a variety of adverse effects. Antrodia cinnamomea extracts (ACE) are highly renowned for their anticancer, antioxidative, and anti‐inflammatory properties. However, whether ACE‐enriched anti‐osteoporosis functions are largely unknown. In a preclinical animal model, we found that ovariectomy significantly decreased bone volume in the ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Administration of ACE antagonized OVX‐induced bone loss. In addition, ACE reversed OVX‐reduced biomechanical properties. The serum osteoclast marker also showed improvement in the ACE‐treated group. In the cellular model, it was indicated that ACE inhibits RANKL‐induced osteoclast formation. Taken together, ACE seems to be a hopeful candidate for the development of novel anti‐osteoporosis treatment.