Abstract

Hala M. Hussein*, Adawy A. H, Haggag M. H. and EL-Shobaki F. A

The use of dietary phyto-oestrogens as a possible option for the prevention of osteoporosis has raised considerable interest because of the increased concern about the risks associated with the use of hormone-replacement therapy. However, the evidence in support of a bone-sparing effect in post-menopausal women is still not sufficiently convincing. Most studies have been performed on soyabean isoflavones (genistein and daidzein). The purpose of this study is to evaluate Zizyphus spina-christi extract and compare to rutin in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. This study was done on 46 patients suffering from osteoporosis. Patients were classified into three groups: Gp 1: patients were given orange juice in addition to calcium (1000 mg daily) and vitamin D (0.25 µg daily), Gp 2: patients were given orange juice fortified with rutin, a synthetic isoflavone (180 mg/d), in addition to a daily dose of Ca and vitamin D3 as in group 1, Gp 3: patients were given orange juice fortified with Z. spina-christi extract (50 mg/d), in addition to a daily dose of Ca and vitamin D3 as in group 1. These regimens continued for a period of 3 months and followed up weekly. The serum levels of calcium, osteocalcin (OC), urinary deoxypyridinoline (U-Dpd) and urinary creatinine were estimated for all patients before and after the intervention. There were a significant increase (p< 0.05) in the level of serum OC and a significant decrease (p< 0. 01) of U-Dpd of postmenopausal women in groups (2, 3) after three months follow-up. There was a highly significant positive correlation (p< 0.05) between serum OC and U-Dpd in postmenopausal women before intervention trials. The Ca/Cr ratio (p< 0.01) was significantly decreased in postmenopausal women after given rutin or ZSC extract, but the decrease in case of ZSC extract was higher relative to rutin. No significant change in the level of serum calcium was noticed as for the three routes of intervention. It was concluded that Z. spina- christi extract is a novel functional food ingredients which suggests that this product could potentially be used for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis that may occur among women after menopause. Also, it is a more potent alternative with less oestrogen-related side effects for hormone replacement therapy in postmeno-pausal osteoporosis,