Dried plum polyphenolic extract combined with vitamin K and potassium restores trabecular and cortical bone in osteopenic model of postmenopausal bone loss

Dried plum has unique anabolic effects on bone, but the responsible bioactive components have remained unclear. This study investigated components of dried plum with potential osteoprotective activity utilizing aged, osteopenic Sprague Dawley rats fed diets supplemented with a crude polyphenol extract, potassium, vitamin K or their combination. Whole body and femoral bone mineral density were restored with the polyphenol and combination treatments to a similar extent as the dried fruit. The combination treatment reversed trabecular bone loss in the spine and cortical bone in the femur mid-diaphysis in a similar manner. Biomarkers of bone resorption were reduced by the polyphenol and combination treatments. The polyphenol extract accounted for most of the anabolic effect of dried plum on bone. This study is the first to show the bioactive components in dried plum responsible for restoring bone in vivo.