Volatile Constituents and Anti-Osteoporotic Activity of the n-Hexane Extract From Homalomena gigantea Rhizome

This study analyzed the chemical composition and anti-osteoporosis activity of the n-hexane extract of Homalomena gigantea rhizome. Sixty compounds, representing 92.0% of the extract, were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Linalool (15.3%), oplopanone (9.8%), (Epsilon)-alpha-atlantone (5.6%), khusinol acetate (5.4%), bullatantriol (4.3%), and beta-sitosterol (3.8%) were the main constituents. The anti-osteoporotic activity of the n-hexane extract was determined by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen content, and the mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells. At concentrations of 4.0 and 20.0 mu g/mL, the n-hexane extract increased ALP activity by 8.2% and 23.7%, and increased collagen secretion by MC3T3-E1 cells by 114.9% and 112.4%, respectively. At 4 mu g/mL, the extract significantly promoted the mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells by as much as 133.2% compared to the negative control. These results suggested that H. gigantea rhizome contains a natural anti-osteoporotic compound.