Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seeds have long been clinically used in Korea to promote bone formation and prevent osteoporosis. In addition, the safflower buds (SB) were found to have more useful functional ingredients than safflower seed. Thus, we investigated the preventive effects of SB diet in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The rats were divided into five groups; sham operated group, OVX alone group, OVX plus 17β-estradiol (E2 10 ㎍/㎏, i.p.) and OVX plus SB diet feeding group (0.3% or 1%). Feeding of SB diet (0.3% or 3%) to OVX rats markedly increased trabecular formation in femur compared to OVX rats. Feeding of SB diet (0.3% or 3%) to OVX rats also decreased TRAP activity compared to OVX rats. These results suggest that SB diets have bone sparing effects by the decrease of osteoclast activity. We also observed that OVX rats fed with SB diet (0.3% or 3%) exhibited the decrease of calcium and phosphorus in serum compared to OVX-induced rats. Therefore, SB may be beneficial for the patients of osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women.

• Joo Hee Choi(Department of Veterinary Physiology, Chonnam National University)
• Seul Ki Lim(Metabolism and Functionality Research Group, R&D division, World Institute of Kimchi)
• Ah Ra Jang(Department of Veterinary Physiology, Chonnam National University)
• Jong Hyun Nho(Department of Veterinary Physiology, Chonnam National University)
• Jae Oh Lim(Department of Veterinary Physiology, Chonnam National University)
• Seong Kang Cho(Department of Veterinary Physiology, Chonnam National University)
• Young Kuk Kim(R&D team, Dasan Institute of Life & Science Co. Ltd.)
• An Chul Lee(R&D team, Dasan Institute of Life & Science Co. Ltd.)
• Mi Young Choi(R&D team, Dasan Institute of Life & Science Co. Ltd.)
• Young Min Boo(Department of Herbology, Kyung Hee University)
• Soo Hyun Park(Department of Veterinary Physiology, Chonnam National University) Corresponding author