Antiosteoporotic activity of lupeol on postmenopausal symptoms through promoting estrogenic activity and bone markers in ovariectomized rats

Abstract Background Menopause is caused by age-related follicular degeneration and is marked by menstrual cycle cessation with insufficiency of an ovarian hormone, particularly estrogen. Estrogen insufficiency causes vasomotor and urogenital symptoms, as well as an increased risk of osteoporosis. Lupeol (LP) is a triterpene compound found in aloe leaves, carrot root, mango pulp, melon seeds, cucumber, soybean, and other plants. The present study aims to assess the effect of LP on estrogen insufficiency in ovariectomy-induced postmenopausal osteoporosis in rats. Female rats were ovariectomized bilaterally and placed into five groups (n = 8) as ovariectomy control (OVX), standard (17β-Estradiol 50 µg/kg) group, and LP (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) groups. Two additional groups Normal Control (NC) and Sham Control (SC) rats went through a sham operation procedure. The rats were given an oral dose for 90 days. The tail skin temperature (TST) was recorded every day, and vaginal cornification was assessed every fourth day. Serum hormones, biochemical parameters, bone physical, radiographic, and histological markers were measured on the 90th day of treatment. Results In LP-treated rats, there was a decrease in TST, induction of vaginal cornification, improved serum hormonal and lipid profile, improved bone physical properties, increased bone density, and enhanced cytological and histological alterations. Conclusions These findings imply that LP exhibited an antiosteoporotic activity against postmenopausal symptoms in ovariectomized rats, suggesting that it could be used therapeutically to treat menopausal problems.