Efficacy for Bone Deterioration in Mice with Osteoporosis and Pharmaceutical Properties of a Novel Compound Calcium Carbonate Granule

Osteoporosis (OP) has been a global health concern, and calcium supplements are still an effective method to relieve the disease. In this study, we investigated the pharmaceutical properties, antiosteoporosis, and adverse effects of a novel calcium supplement named compound calcium carbonate granule (CCCG). The dissolution rate, stability of vitamin D-3, and drug permeability of the calcium supplements were explored. And the osteoporosis was constructed in mice with retinoic acid (100 mg/kg/d) for 21 days, and orally treated with CCCG (0.34, 0.68, and 1.36 g/kg/d) for 36 days to evaluate the efficacy against osteoporosis and the occurrence of kidney stones. The results showed that CCCG exhibited higher dissolution rate and better vitamin D-3 stability than the standard calcium carbonate granule. CCCG also displayed more absorption in Caco-2 cell model. On the other hand, CCCG alleviated the deterioration in femur microstructure and oxidative stress in the liver and kidney, and increased the expression of bone metabolic markers. CCCG also exhibited lower risk of nephrolithiasis than the commercial calcium carbonate granule. In summary, from the perspectives of both pharmaceutics and efficacy, we illustrated the profiles of an intriguing calcium supplement, which could possibly be an alternative of commonly used ones. Practical Application. Calcium carbonate is widely used to supplement calcium, primarily because of its high calcium load, low cost, and good efficacy. Now, we provided a new calcium supplement named CCCG, which was prepared by inclusion and complexation techniques. Vitamin D-3 in CCCG was made into vitamin D-& beta;-cyclodextrin inclusion complex by inclusion technology, which improved the stability of vitamin D-3. And calcium carbonate was converted to a water-soluble calcium citrate complex via complexation techniques to accelerate the release of calcium ions and minimize the risk of kidney stone formation. From the perspective of both pharmaceutics and efficacy, we illustrated the profiles of an intriguing calcium supplement, which could possibly be an alternative for the supplemental and preventive treatment of osteoporosis.