Evaluation of a soybean product fujiflavone P40 as an antiosteoporotic agent in rats.

The preventive effects of Fujiflavone P40 (a soybean isoflavone product) against both bone loss and periodontal alteration were evaluated using an ovariectomized rat model. Rats were divided into five groups: sham-operated (Sham), ovariectomized (OVX), OVX given Fujiflavone P40, OVX given 17beta-oestradiol, and OVX given the vehicle for 17beta-oestradiol, respectively. Fujiflavone P40 contains 46.6% isoflavones which consist of 24.1% daidzin, 16.5% glycitin and 5.9% genistin. Administration of Fujiflavone P40 to OVX rats suppressed the body weight gain until 5 weeks. Fujiflavone P40 also decreased total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterols and triglyceride level of OVX rats, significantly. After 7 weeks, Fujiflavone P40 did not recover the coarsened fibre of the periodontal ligament. The ovariectomy decreased the uterine weight by 78%. The administration of 17beta -oestradiol recovered the weight loss by 99%, while Fujiflavone P40 restored it by 33%. The ovariectomy decreased the tibial bone mineral density (BMD) by 22%. The administration of 17beta-oestradiol to OVX rats recovered the tibial BMD decrease by 100%, while Fujiflavone P40 recovered it by 78%. The results suggest that Fujiflavone P40 may be useful as a preventive agent for osteoporosis. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.