A novel treatment for bone disorders: Japanese catnip

Metabolic bone disorders, such as osteopenia, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis can be treated with the Japanese catnip (Schizonepeta tenuifolia), according to a study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Authors of the study found that the ethanolic extract of the medicinal herb from East Asia displays exceptional antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities which contributes to its beneficial effects on bone metabolism. Of interest is the effectiveness of Japanese catnip on osteoclast differentiation.

• The goal of the study was to review the effects and mechanisms of action of S. tenuifolia on osteoclastogenesis (the development of osteoclasts, bone cells that break down bone tissue).
• These effects were studied in vitro (through stimulated receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)) and in vivo (through a mouse model displaying lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone destruction).
• Results showed that Japanese catnip inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and influenced the transcription and translation of cells associated with osteoclast differentiation.
• These inhibitory effects were also observed in the LPS-mediated mouse model.

Following these results, the authors suggested using Japanese catnip to treat osteoclast-related bone diseases, including osteoporosis.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

Schizonepeta tenuifolia is known as “Jing Jie” in traditional Chinese medicine, “Keigai” in Japanese ethnomedicine, and “Hyonggae” in Korean folk remedy practices. To learn more about the therapeutic benefits of various Asian remedies, visit ChineseMedicine.news today.

Journal Reference:

Kim JY, Baek JM, Ahn SJ, Cheon YH, Park SH, Yang M, Choi MK, Oh J. ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SCHIZONEPETA TENUIFOLIA ATTENUATES OSTEOCLAST FORMATION AND ACTIVATION IN VITRO AND PROTECTS AGAINST LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE-INDUCED BONE LOSS IN VIVO. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 22 August 2016;16(301). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1300-0