Curcumin Studied for Bone Density

by CP Staff

Recent research has shown that curcumin, a compound/compounds derived from the dietary spice turmeric, produced beneficial effects on bone structure in mice. Bone health and strength is a significant concern to people in the U.S., as it is estimated that 34 million have low bone density and are at risk of further problems.

In this new study, researchers investigated the impact of curcumin supplementation using a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (APP/PSI). These mice were used because bone density issues and Alzheimer’s disease often occur concurrently. In this research, half of the mice were supplemented with curcumin at between 9 and 12 months of age. These mice were compared to the non-treated mice as well as normal mice ( the control groups). Bone structure in all of the mice was evaluated at 6, 9 and 12 months of age using computed tomography (CT) of the proximal tibia (bone in lower leg).

The study results showed that at 9 months of age (prior to curcumin supplementation), the transgenic mice had loss of bone volume ratio, trabecular thickness (trabecular bone is the inner spongy bone affected in osteoporosis), connectivity density, increased trabecular separation and significant changes in the bone mineral density parameters compared to the normal mice. At 12 months of age, the mice receiving curcumin supplementation showed constant increases in the trabecular bone mass and improved bone mineral density. The researchers also measured levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6, which may be the cellular mechanisms operating to put the mice at increased risk of bone weakness.

The researchers concluded that the results suggest that APP/PS1 transgenic mice are susceptible to lowered bone density, and that, “curcumin can prevent further deterioration of the bone structure and produce beneficial changes in bone turnover. The change of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-alpha and IL-6, may play an important role in the mechanisms of action of curcumin, but the detailed mechanism remains unknown.”

Reference:

Yang MW, Wang TH, Yan PP, Chu LW, Yu J, Gao ZD, Li YZ, Guo BL. Curcumin improves bone microarchitecture and enhances mineral density in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Phytomedicine. 2010 Jul 16. Published Online Ahead of Print.