The effect of deer antler from East Kalimantan to increase trabecular bone density and calcium levels in serum on osteoporotic mice.

OBJECTIVES: Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (dexamethasone) is a primary cause of secondary osteoporosis by the decreasing formation and increasing resorption activities. Previously, the in vitro study showed that 70% ethanol and aqueous extract of deer antler have increased alkaline phosphatase in osteoblast cell that known as marker of bone formation. The mind of this study is to analyze the effect of deer antlers in increasing the bone trabecular density of osteoporosis-induced male mice. METHODS: This study used a post-test control group design. A total of 54 healthy male mice were randomly divided to nine groups, i.e., healthy control, osteoporotic, positive control, 70% ethanol (4, 8, and 12 mg/kg BW), and aqueous extracts (4, 8, and 12 mg/kg BW) of deer antler groups. All of the interventions were given 1 mL of test sample for 4 weeks orally. The bone densities were determined using histomorphometry by Image J and Adobe Photoshop. The statistical data were performed using SPSS 23 and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The results showed that alendronate group, 70% ethanol, and aqueous extract groups increased bone density and calcium levels in serum (p<0.05) compared to osteoporotic group in dose dependent manner. It indicated that 70% ethanol and aqueous extract of deer antler stimulating bone turnover and aqueous extract showed the highest. CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone induction for 4 weeks caused osteoporotic mice and the administration of 70% ethanol and aqueous extracts of deer antler from East Kalimantan increased trabecular bone density and calcium levels in dose dependent manner.

The Effect of Rusa unicolor Antler Deer Extracts from East Kalimantan in Bone Turnover Cell Models.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by skeletal degradation of osseous tissue resulting in an escalated chance of broken bones. Traditionally, Rusa unicolor horn from East Kalimantan is used to treat many diseases, including conditions associated with bone turnover. The aim of the present research was to analyze the effects of 70% ethanol and aqueous extracts of R. unicolor antler's horn from East Kalimantan on nitric oxide inhibition, osteoblast differentiation, and mineralization related to bone turnover. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nitric oxide inhibition of the extracts in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages was evaluated by Griess reagent, while the effects of extracts on osteoblast differentiations were measured by alkaline phosphatase in p-nitrophenyl phosphate. Their effects on mineralization was determined using alizarin red staining. RESULTS: The 70% ethanol and aqueous extracts inhibited cell inflammation (40% and 80%, respectively) and stimulated osteoblast differentiation (65% and 52%, respectively). In the mineralization test, the aqueous extract showed an effect two times higher than that of 70% ethanol extract. CONCLUSION: The extracts can effectively degrade inflammatory marker expression and preserve osteoblast functions.