Planta Med 2013; 79 - PM3
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1352336

Rose hip special extract FB9440 inhibited osteoclastogenesis via NF-κB pathway

A Kurt 1, F Bjoern 2, W Bernd 2, M Eduardo 3
  • 1Vivacell Biotechnology GmbH, Ferdinand-Porsche-Str. 5, 79211 Denzlingen, Germany
  • 2Finzelberg GmbH & Co. KG, Koblenzer Strasse 48 – 56, 56626 Andernach, Germany
  • 3Vivacell Biotechnology España S.L., Rabanales 21, 14014 Córdoba, Spain

Rosa canina L. is a medicinal plant largely used in traditional folk medicine. A systematic review to critically evaluate the evidence for the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines in the management of osteoarthritis found some consistency to the evidence that rose hip may be effective. This might be due to anti-inflammatory and cartilage-protective properties.

Osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) are two common age-related disorders affecting quality of life of the elderly. Recent studies have revealed several factors which contribute to the pathogenesis of both disorders. These insights might contribute to the development of shared new treatment options in the near future. Increased subchondral bone loss is a characteristic feature of OP and the early stage of OA, and this finding is the rationale for studies on the effect of anti-osteoporotic drugs in OA. In addition, inflammation and a unfavorable body composition have been recognized as contributing factors for both disorders.

Anti-resorptive drugs significantly reduce bone turnover, providing an increase in bone mineral density and a reduction in risk of fracture. Recent advances have identified the Receptor Activator for Nuclear Factor κB Ligand (RANKL) as a critical mediator of bone remodeling. RANKL is essential for the formation, function, and survival of the osteoclasts. It binds to its cognate receptor RANK on the surface of precursors and mature osteoclasts, and stimulates these cells to mature and resorb bone.

Therefore we have studied the biological activities of an aqueous special extract from rose hip peels (DER 2 – 6:1, patent applied PCT/EP2008/068081), with respect to RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in RAW 264.7 cells.

We show for the first time that rose hip extract FB9440 inhibited the activation of NF-κB mediated by RANKL and more importantly this extract showed a strong inhibition of RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis even at low concentrations (10 µg/ml).