PCE17 and its active compounds exert an anti-osteoporotic effect through the regulation of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand in ovariectomized mice

PCE17 has been developed to prevent and treat osteoporosis in Korea. Here, we investigated the anti-osteoporotic effects of PCE17 and its active compounds, a mixture of tectoridin, tectorigenin, and tectorigenin 7-O-xylosylglucoside (Tec) and hesperidin, in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Serum levels of RANKL, TRAP, and Ntx1 were higher in OVX-control mice than normal controls. However, these increased levels were decreased by PCE17, Tec, or hesperidin. In addition, serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, osteoprotegerin, and osteocalcin were higher in PCE17, Tec, or hesperidin-fed mice than in OVX controls. PCE17 or hesperidin increased bone mineral density, trabecular number, and connectivity density, and decreased total porosity. Furthermore, no obvious hypercholesterolemia or liver toxicity developed in OVX-treated mice at PCE17 dosages up to 460 mg/kg. In conclusion, PCE17 has an anti-osteoporotic effect in OVX mice. These results suggest that PCE17 has potential use as an alternative therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Practical applications: PCE17 has been developed to prevent osteoporosis as a health functional food. PCE17 has an anti-osteoporotic effect through the maintenance bone homeostasis by redressing the balance between bone resorption and bone formation, and that PCE17 be considered potentially useful preventative or protective treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.