What Are The Benefits Of Ligustrum Lucidum Extract For Osteoporosis?

 

Ligustrum lucidum extract is derived from the dried, mature fruits of Ligustrum lucidum; its primary active constituents are oleanolic acid and ligustroside.

It exhibits significant antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory properties, and has been widely utilized in the fields of health supplements, functional skincare products, and animal feed.

 

Active Ingredients:

 

1. Triterpenoids: Primarily comprising Oleanolic Acid and Ursolic Acid, these compounds possess well-established anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and lipid-regulating properties.

 

2. Iridoids: Ligustroside serves as the exclusive characteristic marker of this group; it is also designated as a core quality indicator in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, which mandates that its content in the dried medicinal material must not fall below 0.70%.

 

3. Phenolic Glycosides and Polysaccharides: Rich in Salidroside, Oleuropein, as well as various flavonoids and polysaccharides, these components primarily function as antioxidants.

 

 

1. Antioxidant Properties

It effectively scavenges free radicals within the body, significantly enhancing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) while reducing malondialdehyde levels, thereby delaying cellular aging.

 

2. Liver Protection

Its primary active ingredients mitigate the degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes, promote liver cell regeneration, and demonstrate significant protective and ameliorative effects against chemically induced liver injury and hyperlipidemia.

 

3. Biphasic Immune Regulation

Ligustrum lucidum fruit enhances the proliferation and differentiation functions of T and B lymphocytes and boosts the activity of mononuclear phagocytes, thereby assisting the body in establishing a more robust immune defense system.

 

 

 

Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic metabolic bone disease characterized by a reduction in bone mass and/or the deterioration of bone microstructure, resulting in increased bone fragility and a heightened susceptibility to fractures. Currently, the World Health Organization has identified OP-alongside diabetes and Alzheimer's disease-as one of the three major threats to the health of middle-aged and elderly individuals. Research indicates that Ligustrum lucidum, as well as its primary active constituents, offers potential benefits in the prevention and treatment of OP. Its primary mechanisms of action include:

 

1. Regulation of the Calcium Metabolism–Vitamin D System

Studies have demonstrated that Ligustrum lucidum promotes the biosynthesis of active Vitamin D3, modulates the expression of Vitamin D receptors and calcium-binding proteins, enhances intestinal calcium absorption, and inhibits excessive urinary calcium excretion. Furthermore, it has been shown to increase the bone mineral content and bone density of cortical bone in aged rats-including those that have undergone ovariectomy-and to improve the trabecular bone density in diabetic mice.

 

2. Regulation of the OPG-RANKL-RANK Signaling Pathway

Research indicates that Ligustrum lucidum fruit extracts significantly reduce serum levels of CTX-I, a biochemical marker of bone resorption, while simultaneously lowering the RANKL/OPG ratio. Through *in vitro* studies utilizing cultures of RAW264.7 murine macrophages, researchers have found that Ligustrum lucidum extracts exert their anti-osteoporotic effects by inhibiting the RANKL signaling pathway, thereby reducing the number of osteoclasts and lowering the RANKL/OPG ratio.

 

3. Regulation of the CaSR-PTH Axis

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is one of the key hormones responsible for maintaining calcium homeostasis; it promotes calcium reabsorption, reduces urinary calcium excretion, indirectly enhances intestinal calcium absorption, and improves bone density, bone strength, and bone microstructure.

 

The synthesis and secretion of PTH are regulated by the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), which is located in the parathyroid glands. Studies have demonstrated that Ligustrum lucidum extract powder effectively elevates serum PTH levels in rats receiving moderate and high calcium intakes, while simultaneously reducing calcium excretion in both urine and feces, thereby maintaining systemic calcium balance.

 

4. Regulation of the Directed Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

In vivo and in vitro studies on Ligustrum lucidum suggest that it may promote the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into osteoblasts through mechanisms such as enhancing the extracellular matrix of MSCs, increasing the synthesis of matrix proteins, and stimulating growth factor-related signaling pathways.

 

 

Fruiterco is an export company that mainly produces plant extracts, health product raw materials, and cosmetic raw materials. The company has a 20+ professional service after-sales team.

 

Our products are sold to North America, Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. Our products have passed quality inspection and also support customer re-inspection. If you would like to buy ligustrum lucidum extract, please contact us: Email: info@fruiterco.com.

 

 

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2. Cao R., Deng C., Li L. L. (2019). Changes of polyphenols and polysaccharides in fructusligustrum lucidum before and after processing. J. Shaanxi Univ. Chin. Med. 42 (2), 39–49. 10.13424/j.cnki.jsctcm.2019.04.010

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5. Fu G., Ip F. C., Pang H., Ip N. Y. (2010). New secoiridoid glucosides from Ligustrum lucidum induce ERK and CREB phosphorylation in cultured cortical neurons. Planta Med. 76 (10), 998–1003. 10.1055/s-0029-1240869

6. Gao D., Li Q., Li Y., Liu Z., Fan Y., Liu Z., et al. (2009). Antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of oleanolic acid from Ligustrum lucidum Ait in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Phytother. Res. 23 (9), 1257–1262. 10.1002/ptr.2603

7. Graziani N. S., Tames M. F., Mateos A. C., Silva J. A., Ramos S., Homem V., et al. (2019). Estimation of urban POP and emerging SVOC levels employing Ligustrum lucidum leaves. Atmos. Pollut. Res. 10 (5), 1524–1530. 10.1016/j.apr.2019.04.010

8. He Z. D., Pph B., Chan T. W., Dong H., Xu H. X., Lau C. P., et al. (2001). Antioxidative glucosides from the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum. Chem. Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo) 49 (6), 780–784. 10.1248/cpb.49.780

9. https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weed/PrivetBroadleaf#:~:text=Broad%2Dleaf%20privet%20is%20an,which%20are%20poisonous%20to%20people.

10. Research progress on osteoprotective effects of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and its active components and action pathways involved