What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to assess the effects of betulinic acid on bone health in an ovariectomized rat model, focusing on estrogen deficiency-related bone loss.

April 29, 2026Recent trends in pharmacology.0 citationsOpen Access

Betulinic Acid Mitigates Estrogen Deficiency–Related Femoral Bone Loss: Evidence from an Ovariectomized Rat Model

OÖOnural Özhan HŞHilal Şahin MKMehmet Fatih Korkmaz

Key Points

This study aims to assess the effects of betulinic acid on bone health in an ovariectomized rat model, focusing on estrogen deficiency-related bone loss.
Thirty-two female Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to Sham, OVX, BA+OVX, and OVX+BA groups (n=8 each).
Betulinic acid was administered orally at a dose of 3 mg/kg/day.
Pelvic bone mineral density was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and histopathological evaluations were conducted on femoral bone tissue.
OVX significantly reduced pelvic bone mineral density and deteriorated trabecular architecture compared to the Sham group.
BA administered before OVX significantly preserved pelvic bone mineral density and trabecular structure compared to the OVX group.

Abstract

Objective: Postmenopausal osteoporosis (OP) is characterized by estrogen deficiency–induced bone loss and deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture. Betulinic acid (BA), a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, has demonstrated antioxidant and osteoprotective properties. This study aimed to evaluate the histopathological effects of BA on femoral bone tissue in ovariectomized rats.Methods: Thirty-two female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=8): Sham, OVX, BA+OVX (BA administered before OVX), and OVX+BA (BA administered after OVX). BA was given orally at 3 mg/kg/day. Pelvic bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Serum calcium levels were measured, and femoral bone tissues were evaluated histopathologically for trabecular thinning and loss of connectivity.Results: OVX resulted in a significant reduction in pelvic BMD and marked deterioration of trabecular bone architecture compared with the Sham group. BA administration prior to OVX significantly attenuated OVX-induced bone loss, as evidenced by higher pelvic BMD and preserved trabecular structure compared with the OVX group (p

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