Indian Journal of Exprimental Biology Vol. 52, February 2014, pp. 153-158 Role of Triticum aestivum aqueous extract in glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis in rats David Banji * , Otilia J F Banji, Vijaya Laxmi Chiluka & Saidulu Abbagoni Department of Pharmacology, Nalanda College of Pharmacy, Charlapally, Nalgonda 508 001, India Received 3 August 2012; revised 8 November 2013 Administration of aqueous extract of T. aestivum (200 and 400 mg/kg/day, po, for 30 days) and risedronate (20 μg/kg, sc, five times a week for 30 days) following methyl prednisolone sodium succinate (10 mg/kg, sc, thrice a week for 4 weeks) induced osteoporosis in Wistar rats showed an increase in the serum levels of bone mineral content markers, decrease in the serum and urinary levels of bone resorption markers. An incline in strength of femur and tibia was seen particularly with 400 mg/kg of T. aestivum. Maintenance of calcium homeostasis, formation of collagen and scavenging of free radicals can plausibly be the mode of action of aqueous extract of T. aestivum thereby combating osteoporosis induced by glucocorticoids. Keywords: Bone resorption, Free radicals, Glucocorticoids, Neutraceutical, Wheat grass Glucocorticoids are steroidal hormones possessing wide applicability and are extensively used for the treatment of autoimmune disorders, pulmonary disorders, malignancy, and organ transplantation 1 . Glucocorticoids exert their action by binding to glucocorticoid receptors and regulate tissue differentiation, control intermediary metabolism and enable the body to cope with stress. Long-term treatment or high doses adversely affects bone health and is considered to be a leading cause of drug induced osteoporosis 2 . Osteoporosis is a chronic bone disorder characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of the micro architecture of bone tissue 2 . Maintenance of bone health requires a healthy diet. Steroids deplete minerals causing an alteration in the mechanical and structural integrity of skeletal tissue 3 . Neutraceuticals are widely employed to curb the spread of diseases owing to the presence of several antioxidant principles. Triticum aestivum (family: Poaceae) seedlings commonly called as wheat grass is consumed in the form of juice for healthy growth of human body 4 . Wheat grass is used to reduce ulcerative colitis 5 , and myelotoxicity 6 . It is reported to be beneficial in mitigating thalassemia and possesses tremendous anti-oxidant potential 7,8 . T. aestivum seedlings are a rich source of minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, manganese, iron, zinc and vitamins like A, C, D, and E 9 . T. aestivum is rich in nutritional constituents and has not been explored for its potential in maintaining skeletal health. Therefore, the present study has been undertaken to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of T. aestivum on osteoporosis induced by methyl prednisolone sodium succinate, a glucocorticoid (GC) in rats by biochemical and biomechanical assessment. Materials and Methods Drugs and chemicals—Methyl prednisolone sodium succinate and risedronate sodium were procured from Sigma Aldrich, USA. The reagent kits for the measurement of calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatinine (Cr) were procured from ERBA Diagnostics (Transasia Bio-medicals Ltd., Daman, India). All other reagents and chemicals were of analytical grade. Plant material—Fifteen day old seedlings of T. aestivum were collected in the month of December in Nalgonda. They were authenticated by Prof. A Laxman Reddy, N.G. College, Nalgonda and a voucher specimen is maintained in the herbarium. Ariel parts of 15 day old seedlings were dried in shade and made into fine powder. Dried powder —————— * Correspondent author Teephone: 91-8682-273910 Fax: 91-8682-248547 E-mail:davidbanji@gmail.com