Dioscorea improves the morphometric and mechanical properties of bone in ovariectomised rats

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to determine the effects of oral administration of dioscorea on the morphometric and mechanical properties of the femur in ovariectomised (OVX) rats. Female Wistar rats that had undergone surgery for ovariectomy were used as a model of menopause and osteoporosis. Four weeks after surgery the animals were given oral dioscorea (0, 250, 750 or 1500 mg kg−1 day−1) for 27 days, then the porosity, mineral fraction, stiffness and toughness of the femur and the ultimate force needed to break the femur were measured. RESULTS: Ovariectomy resulted in an increase in the total volume, dry weight and porosity but a decrease in the mineral fraction of femora. Subsequent chronic administration of dioscorea reversed the effect on porosity and increased the ultimate force of the femur in OVX rats but did not affect the bone properties of sham‐operated rats. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that chronic administration of dioscorea may enhance bone strength and provide insight into the role of dioscorea in bone remodeling and osteoporosis during the menopause. However, the benefit is not clear for the reproductive female. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry