Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Oxidative Stress to Prevent and Treat Osteoporosis： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20250123
- VernacularTitle:中药调节氧化应激防治骨质疏松症的研究进展
- Author:
Hu YANG
1
;
Yu ZHENG
2
;
Chengming JIA
2
;
Tong WANG
1
;
Guangfei ZHANG
1
;
Yaoyao JI
1
Author Information
1. Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine， Xianyang 712000， China
2. Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital， Xi'an 710000， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
osteoporosis;
oxidative stress;
bone angiogenesis;
osteogenesis;
bone resorption;
traditional Chinese medicine;
research progress
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(15):277-285
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Osteoporosis is a common bone metabolic disease， which is mainly characterized by the decrease in the number of bone trabeculae and the destruction of bone tissue microstructure， leading to increased bone fragility and fracture risks. This disease is common in postmenopausal women， elderly men， diabetes patients， and obese people. Due to the lack of awareness to prevent bone losses and the limitations of bone mass measurement methods， osteoporosis is only concerned when there are serious complications， which imposes a heavy burden on both patients and medical resources. Oxidative stress refers to the excessive production of highly active molecules such as reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen in the body subjected to harmful stimuli， leading to the imbalance between the oxidative and antioxidant systems and causing oxidative damage. Studies have shown that oxidative stress can increase the generation and activity of osteoclasts and inhibit the differentiation of osteoblasts， thus playing a role in the occurrence and development of osteoporosis. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is considered an effective antioxidant that can alleviate oxidative stress-induced osteoporosis by regulating a variety of signaling pathways. Studies have shown that TCM can alleviate oxidative stress and promote bone angiogenesis and osteogenesis by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）， nuclear factor-kappa B， and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor （Nrf2） signaling pathways. TCM alleviates oxidative stress and promotes osteogenesis by regulating the Nrf2， PI3K/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin， and secreted glycoprotein Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. In addition， TCM regulates NF-κB， mitogen-activated protein kinase， and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B （RANK）/RANK ligand/osteoprotegerin signaling pathway to alleviate excessive bone resorption induced by oxidative stress. This paper systematically summarizes the literature on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis by TCM or its active ingredients via the above-mentioned signaling pathways to reduce oxidative stress in recent years. It briefs the possible molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress regulation-related signaling pathways to cause osteoporosis. In addition， this paper discusses the effects and mechanisms of TCM on bone angiogenesis， osteogenesis， and bone resorption by reducing oxidative stress through the regulation of related signaling pathways， aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the research and clinical treatment of osteoporosis.
