Osthole

Osthole is an active constituent isolated from the fruit of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson,
a Chinese herbal medicine, which has been used to treat anti-inflammation, anti-osteoporosis and anti-tumor for many years. Recently, researchers from Medical School of Soochow University, China, found that 4-week-supplementation of osthole could inhibit alcohol or high fat-induced fatty liver in mice, probably associated with its anti-oxidation and suppression of TNF-alpha production. [1-4]

Anti-inflammatory Action

Researchers from Gannan Medical College, China, found that osthole suppressed inflammatory responses on nitric oxide levels in a dose-dependent manner in a study of rats. The mechanism is related to inhibition of calcium entry and elevating cGMP levels way. [5]

Osthole may benefit people suffered from some chronic conditions.

Osthole exhibited a significant induction of differentiation in two human osteoblast-like cell lines-MG-63 and hFOB. Researchers from Chia-Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Taiwan, claimed that osthole may benefit people suffered from osteoporosis. [6] In a study of ovariectomized rats, osthole was as effective as 17beta-estradiol to suppress bone loss due to ovariectomy but the researchers were not sure how osthole suppress bone loss. [8]

Because of its unique structure, the location of a butenyl group at position-8, researchers from Nippon Chemiphar Co., Ltd, believe s osthole is a good candidate l for liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinomas) [7]

Osthole may benefit people at risk of hypertension.

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