REVIEW article
Front. Endocrinol.
Sec. Bone Research
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1647984
This article is part of the Research TopicBone Aging and Osteoporosis: Recent Evidence Focusing on Plant-Based Natural Products - Volume IIView all 8 articles
The Role of Active Constituents of in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Primary Osteoporosis: A Mechanistic Review
Provisionally accepted
Chaoqun Song1
Changwei Zhao2,3*- 1Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
- 2Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
- 3Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
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Primary osteoporosis (POP) is a systemic metabolic bone disorder marked by diminished bone density and deterioration of bone microstructure, presenting a considerable challenge to global public health due to its widespread occurrence and heightened fracture risk. Although conventional Western pharmaceutical treatments are efficacious, they are often associated with adverse consequences. Conversely, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exhibits distinct potential owing to its multitargeted and multi-pathway regulatory benefits. This systematic review elucidates the molecular mechanisms of flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins), polysaccharides, coumarins, and alkaloids in the prevention and treatment of POP. The study elucidates the mechanisms of action by modulating critical signaling pathways, including the Wnt/β-catenin, RANKL/OPG, and BMP/Smad pathways, thereby facilitating osteoblast differentiation, suppressing osteoclast activity, and ameliorating oxidative stress, inflammation, and dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota, ultimately restoring the balance of the bone microenvironment. This research aims to advance the development of innovative osteoporosis medications based on TCM principles and to provide scientific validation for individualized therapy.
Keywords: Primary osteoporosis, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Active constituents, Mechanism, Research progress
Received: 16 Jun 2025; Accepted: 01 Aug 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Song and Zhao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Changwei Zhao, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
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