Piper sarmentosum prevents glucocorticoid-induced osteoporotic bone resorption by increasing 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity

Osteoporosis is a proven complication of long-term glucocorticoid therapy. Concern on glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis has increased dramatically in recent years with the widespread use of synthetic glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoid action in bone depends upon the activity of 11βhydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme (11βHSD1). This enzyme plays an important role in regulating corticosteroids by locally interconverting cortisone into active cortisol. This has been demonstrated in primary cultures of human, mouse or rat osteoblasts. Therefore, inhibition of this enzyme may reduce bone resorption markers. Piper sarmentosum (Ps) is a potent inhibitor of 11βHSD1 in liver and adipose tissue. In this study we determined the effect of Ps on 11βHSD1 activity in bones of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporotic rats.