Title:Analysis of the Molecular Mechanisms by Flavonoids with Potential
Use for Osteoporosis Prevention or Therapy
Volume: 29
Issue: 16
Author(s): Valeria Rodríguez, María Rivoira, Gabriela Picotto, Gabriela Díaz de Barboza, Alejandro Collin and Nori Tolosa de Talamoni*
Affiliation:
- Laboratorio “Dr. Fernando Cañas”, Cátedra de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias
Médicas, INICSA (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Pabellón Argentina, 2do. Piso, Ciudad
Universitaria, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
Keywords:
Osteoporotic bones, flavones, flavonols, flavanols, isoflavones, flavanones, anthocyanidins.
Abstract:
Background: Osteoporosis is the most common skeletal disorder worldwide.
Flavonoids have the potential to alleviate bone alterations in osteoporotic patients with the
advantage of being safer and less expensive than conventional therapies.
Objective: The main objective is to analyze the molecular mechanisms triggered in bone
by different subclasses of flavonoids. In addition, this review provides an up-to-date
overview of the cellular and molecular aspects of osteoporotic bones versus healthy
bones, and a brief description of some epidemiological studies indicating that flavonoids
could be useful for osteoporosis treatment.
Methods: The PubMed database was searched in 2001- 2021 using the keywords osteoporosis,
flavonoids, and their subclasses such as flavones, flavonols, flavanols, isoflavones, flavanones
and anthocyanins, focusing the data on the molecular mechanisms triggered in bone.
Results: Although flavonoids comprise many compounds that differ in structure, their effects
on bone loss in postmenopausal women or in ovariectomized-induced osteoporotic
animals are quite similar. Most of them increase bone mineral density and bone strength,
which occur through an enhancement of osteoblastogenesis and osteoclast apoptosis, a
decrease in osteoclastogenesis, as well as an increase in neovascularization on the site of
the osteoporotic fracture.
Conclusion: Several molecules of signaling pathways are involved in the effect of flavonoids
on osteoporotic bone. Whether all flavonoids have a common mechanism or they
act as ligands of estrogen receptors remains to be established. More clinical trials are necessary
to know better their safety, efficacy, delivery and bioavailability in humans, as well
as comparative studies with conventional therapies.
