Dried Plum’s Unique Capacity to Reverse Bone Loss and Alter Bone Metabolism in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Model.

JOURNAL: PLoS One. 2013;8(3):e60569.

AUTHORS: Rendina E, Hembree KD, Davis MR, Marlow D, Clarke SL, Halloran BR, Lucas EA and Smith BJ.

This study compared the effects of dried plum on bone to other dried fruits (apple, apricot, grape or mango) and further explored the potential mechanisms of action by which dried plum may exert its osteoprotective effects. Adult osteopenic ovariectomized (OVX) mice were fed a control diet or diet supplemented with 25% (w/w) dried fruit for 8 weeks. Whole-body and spine bone mineral density improved in mice fed the dried plum, apricot and grape diets compared to the OVX control; but only dried plum had an anabolic effect on trabecular bone in the vertebra and prevented bone loss in the tibia. Restoration of biomechanical properties occurred along with the changes in trabecular bone in the spine. According to the researchers, compared to other dried fruits in this study, dried plum was unique in its ability to down-regulate osteoclast differentiation while up-regulating osteoblast and glutathione activities. These alternations in bone metabolism and antioxidant status compared to other dried fruits provide some insight into dried plum’s unique effects on bone.