The Chinese mallow identified as a potential candidate for treating pathological bone diseases

Research has shown that the seeds of Malva verticillata, commonly known as the Chinese mallow, can inhibit osteoclastogenesis by downregulating biomarkers for bone resorption. The study, which is published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, looked at the effects of M. verticillata seeds on bone metabolism, as claimed by traditional Chinese medicine.

• The ability of M. verticillata seeds to prevent osteoclastogenesis was evaluated in vitro using multiple assays.
• Researchers measured tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity, taking note of TRAP-stained multinuclear cells, to assess osteoclastogenesis in macrophages of the bone marrow.
• A western blot analysis examined the activation of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB (RANK) ligand signaling, as well as c-Fos and NFATc1 expressions, while a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assessed biomarkers in mRNA levels.
• The team evaluated bone resorption in mature osteoclasts using osteoclasts cultured on a hydroxyapatite-coated culture plate.
• Based on the results, a water extract of M. verticillata seeds inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. A similar outcome was seen in all biomarkers and expressions of osteoclastogenesis, with the extract downregulating mRNA expression of resorption markers.

Researchers concluded that given the biological activity of water extract of M. verticillata seeds, these could be used as an alternative medicine to treat pathological bone diseases.

Find the full text of the study at this link.

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Journal Reference:

Shim KS, Lee CJ, Yim NH, Ha H, Ma JY. A WATER EXTRACT OF MALVA VERTICILLATA SEEDS SUPPRESSES OSTEOCLASTOGENESIS AND BONE RESORPTION STIMULATED BY RANK LIGAND. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 31 August 2016;16(332). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1295-6