Molecular mechanisms of polysaccharide components of kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine in regulating osteoporosis

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Osteoporosis, a prevalent systemic skeletal disorder, poses a significant health risk to the elderly population, arising from a multitude of factors that disrupt bone homeostasis. This delicate balance is primarily regulated by the dynamic interplay between osteoblasts and osteoclasts. When this equilibrium is perturbed, osteoporosis can ensue. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) posits that the kidney, as the repository of vital essence, is instrumental in the production of bone marrow, which in turn confers skeletal strength. Consequently, TCM therapies that focus on kidney replenishment are frequently employed in the management of osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions. The polysaccharide metabolites of these TCM, which are designed to invigorate the kidney, exhibit a spectrum of pharmacological activities and engage multiple targets, such as Wnt and BMP-2/Smads signaling pathway activation and oxidative stress reduction. Notably, the protective and therapeutic roles of these polysaccharides in osteoporosis are mediated through distinct mechanisms and pathways. This review provides an overview of the application of the polysaccharide metabolites of kidney-tonifying TCM in the field of osteoporosis, with special emphasis on the mechanisms underlying the pharmacological effects of the various polysaccharide metabolites. It meticulously examines the precise molecular und

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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