Biochemical Markers of Bone Metabolism and Liver Function in Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis in Female Albino Rats Treated with Compound Marrow Powder and Alendronate

Osteoporosis is a significant public health concern, with over 200 million persons affected globally. In Africa, the burden of osteoporosis is rising due to increasing life expectancy and lifestyle changes. Osteoporosis in Nigeria remains underdiagnosed, yet hospital-based studies have constantly reported increasing prevalence rates among postmenopausal women due to hormonal changes, aging, and long-term corticosteroid use. Aim: This study evaluated the biochemical markers of bone metabolism and liver function in dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis in female albino rats treated with compound marrow powder and alendronate. Methodology: A total of thirty-five (35) female albino rats weighing between 180 to 200g were used for the study. The rats were weighed and grouped into 5 groups of 7 rats each, and osteoporosis was induced by intramuscular administration of dexamethasone (5 mg/kg). Treatments (drugs) were administered according to the groupings by means of oral gavage for 28 days (4 weeks). Osteocalcin and cathepsin K were quantitatively determined by a rat-specific sandwich-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined using the Reitman-Frankel method. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was determined using the colorimetric endpoint method. Quantitative determination of the phytochemicals in the polyherbal drug was done using spectrophotometric methods. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, polyphenols and anthraquinones in the herbal drug. The positive control had significantly higher (P0.05) from the negative control, whereas cathepsin K levels were significantly higher (P0.05) from the positive control. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase levels (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were significantly elevated (P