Defining Key Structural Determinants for the Pro-osteogenic Activity of Flavonoids.

Epidemiological studies suggest that fruits and vegetables may play a role in promoting bone growth and preventing age-related bone loss, attributable, at least in part, to phytochemicals such as flavonoids stimulating osteoblastogenesis. Through systematically screening the effect of flavonoids on the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and correlating activity with chemical structure using comparative molecular field analysis, we have successfully identified important structural features that relate to their activity, as well as reliably predicted the activity of compounds with unknown activity. Contour maps emphasized the importance of electronegativity, steric bulk, and a 2-C-3-C double bond at the flavonoid C-ring, as well as overall electropositivity and reduced steric bulk at the flavonoid B-ring.

Effects and mechanisms of ginseng and ginsenosides on cognition.

Reviewed here is the existing evidence for the effects of ginseng extracts and isolated ginsenosides relevant to cognition in humans. Clinical studies in healthy volunteers and in patients with neurological disease or deficit, evidence from preclinical models of cognition, and pharmacokinetic data are considered. Conditions under which disease modification may indirectly benefit cognition but may not translate to cognitive benefits in healthy subjects are discussed.

Natural products as alternative treatments for metabolic bone disorders and for maintenance of bone health.

Bone metabolism involves a complex balance between the deposition of matrix and mineralization and resorption. There is now good evidence that dietary components and herbal products can influence these processes, particularly by inhibiting bone resorption, thus having beneficial effects on the skeleton. For example, it has been reported that a number of common vegetables, including onion, garlic and parsley, can inhibit bone resorption in ovariectomized rats.