Abstract
The effects of phytocomponent p-hydroxycinnamic acid (HCA) on biochemical components in the femoral-diaphyseal (cortical bone) and -metaphyseal (trabecullar bone) tissues of rats in vivo were investigated. Rats were orally administered HCA 1, 2, or 5 mg/100 g body weight once daily for 7 days. The administration of HCA did not cause a significant change in body weight or serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus levels. Calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and DNA content in the diaphyseal and metaphyseal tissues were significantly increased with the administration of HCA 2 or 5 mg/100 g. Diaphyseal calcium and metaphyseal DNA contents were significantly increased with the dose of HCA 1 mg/100 g. The activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, which is a marker enzyme in osteoclastic bone resorption, was significantly decreased with the administration of HCA 1, 2, or 5 mg/100 g. This study demonstrates that the administration of HCA has anabolic effects on bone calcification in the femoral tissues of rats in vivo.
