The role of ferroptosis in osteoporosis: from pathogenic mechanisms to natural product-driven therapeutic innovations

Osteoporosis is, a common bone disease, and it has become a prominent health problem of the elderly in modern society. As a new type of cell death, ferroptosis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of osteoporosis. Therefore, regulation of iron metabolism is helpful for the treatment of osteoporosis. This article not only reviews the molecular mechanism of ferroptosis in osteoporosis, but also focuses on the three-dimensional regulatory network of iron metabolism disorder, lipid peroxidation, and bone homeostasis imbalance. Natural active ingredients with potential inhibiting ferroptosis, including traditional Chinese medicine, and their corresponding targets, are also evaluated from the perspective of natural product chemistry and molecular pharmacology. Finally, the research and development prospects of natural ingredient delivery systems in the treatment of osteoporosis are discussed. Advances in these therapeutic strategies provide new opportunities to address the challenges in the management of osteoporosis and may improve the quality of life of elderly patients. This article comprehensively reviews the related studies of ferroptosis and osteoporosis, providing a valuable reference for research and clinical practice in this field, and contributing to the further development of osteoporosis treatment research.