Osteoporosis Treatment Strategies Utilizing Natural Compounds
Summary
Osteoporosis is characterised by diminished bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration, leading to elevated fracture risk and substantial healthcare burdens worldwide. Natural compounds—including polyphenols, flavonoids and terpenoids—have emerged as promising agents for preventing bone loss by simultaneously stimulating osteoblast activity and inhibiting osteoclast-mediated resorption. Key examples such as curcumin, resveratrol and quercetin demonstrate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, yet are constrained by limited bioavailability and rapid metabolism. To overcome these limitations, advanced delivery systems—ranging from bone-targeting nanoparticles to acid-responsive frameworks—have been developed to enhance tissue specificity and therapeutic index. Traditional herbal extracts, exemplified by Epimedium brevicornum, continue to contribute novel bioactives that interact with critical molecular pathways such as AGE-RAGE signalling, PI3K-Akt and Nrf2-mediated antioxidative responses. By integrating these natural strategies with standard antiresorptive or anabolic regimens, researchers aim to reduce side effects, improve patient adherence and address diverse patient populations, including postmenopausal women and those with comorbid metabolic disorders. Continued interdisciplinary efforts are focused on elucidating mechanistic underpinnings, optimising formulation chemistry and conducting rigorous clinical evaluations to validate safety, efficacy and long-term benefits.
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Osteoporosis Treatment Strategies Utilizing Natural Compounds publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in osteoporosis treatment strategies utilizing natural compounds across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Osteoblast: A bone-forming cell responsible for synthesising and mineralising bone matrix.
Osteoclast: A multinucleated cell specialised in bone resorption through secretion of acids and proteolytic enzymes.
Bioavailability: The fraction of an administered compound that reaches systemic circulation in an active form.
Nanoplatform: A nanoscale delivery system engineered to transport therapeutic agents with controlled release and tissue targeting.
AGE-RAGE pathway: A signalling cascade initiated by advanced glycation end-products binding to their receptor, implicated in inflammation and bone remodelling dysregulation.
References
- An acid-responsive bone-targeting nanoplatform loaded with curcumin balances osteogenic and osteoclastic functions. Regenerative Biomaterials (2025).
- Epimedium brevicornum Maxim alleviates diabetes osteoporosis by regulating AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. Molecular Medicine (2025).
- Effects of Resveratrol, Curcumin and Quercetin Supplementation on Bone Metabolism—A Systematic Review. Nutrients (2022).
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