Application and research progress of cucumber seed in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in ancient and modern times
Cucumber seeds are the dry and mature seeds of Cucumis sativus Linn.,a plant of the Cucurbitaceae family,commonly used in folk practice for bone bonding and strengthening.Cucumber seeds have the effects of strengthening tendons and bones,dispelling pathogenic wind,and eliminating phlegm.They are recorded in the Liaoning Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook and Chinese Materia Medica.In recent years,some scholars have found that cucumber seeds can prevent and treat osteoporosis by promoting fracture healing and bone remodeling in ovariectomized osteoporosis model rats,thus slowing down the rate of bone loss after ovariectomy.Additionally,cucumber seeds contain various potential anti-osteoporosis ingredients,such as phytosterols,oleic acid,flavonoids,and trace elements,etc..These compounds can exert anti-osteoporosis effects through various mechanisms of action.Furthermore,cucumber seeds also possess antioxidant,antithrombotic,tooth protection,and gut microbiota regulation properties,as well as the ability to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism.Since dysbiosis of the microbiota,disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism,and oxidative stress are closely related to osteoporosis,further research and development can be carried out to utilize cucumber seeds.
Cucumber seedOsteoporosis(OP)Application in ancient and modern timesResearch progressComponentPharmacologic action