A combination of soft-shell turtle powder and essential oil of a unicellular chorophyte prevents bone loss and decreased bone strength in ovariectomized rats.

The effects of soft-shell turtle (Trionyx sinensis) powder (SST) on the proximal tibiae of ovariectomized (OVX) rats were investigated using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and examination of serum biochemical markers. Considering the relationship between the antioxidative property and antiosteoporotic activity, the synergistic effects of a mixture of SST and essential oil of the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis (OHP) with strong antioxidant activity were also examined. Oral administration of SST (100, 200 mg/kg) or a mixture of SST (100, 200 mg/kg) and OHP (13, 26 mg/kg) three times weekly prevented the decrease in bone mineral content (BMC) in total bone, BMC and bone mineral density (BMD) in cortical bone, and bone strength indices induced by ovariectomy in a dose-dependent manner without uterine side effects. However, OHP alone showed no significant effects.