Echinocystic acid (EA), a natural extract from plants of Gleditsia sinensis Lam, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic activities in different diseases. EA (50 mg/kg, i.p. q.d) may provide neuroprotection via activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway[3]. EA has a protective role on vascular endothelial cells in Hhcy through decreasing plasma Hcy (hyperhomocysteinemia), and thus NF-κB and CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450 1A1) expression[4]. EA induces neurite outgrowth in a concentration dependent manner without affecting cell viability. Moreover, EA treatment increased phosphorylation of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and JNK inhibitor, SP600125, blocked the effect of EA on neurite outgrowth[5]. Administration of EA (5 or 15 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks prevented lower levels of maximum stress and Young's modulus of femur induced by OVX (ovariectomy). EA also recovered bone metabolic biomarkers levels in OVX rats, including osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatese, deoxypyridinoline, and urinary calcium and phosphorus. EA (5 and 15 mg/kg/day) could prevent the alteration of total bone mineral density in the femur caused by OVX[6].
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