Icariin inhibits osteoblast ferroptosis via Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and enhances healing of osteoporotic fractures.

The incidence of osteoporotic fractures is increasing every year because of population aging around the world. The reduced osteoblast activity in osteoporotic fracture has been associated with ferroptosis. A recent study showed that the antioxidant icariin (ICA) reduced iron deposition in the bone marrow of osteoporotic mice, although the underlying regulatory mechanisms were not explored.