Preventive effects of Agrocybe chaxingu extracts on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats via gut microbiota modulation.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis, characterized by estrogen deficiency, leads to significant bone loss and an elevated risk of fracture. While Agrocybe chaxingu is an edible mushroom with recognized health benefits, its therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms in treating osteoporosis remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the anti-osteoporotic effects of Agrocybe chaxingu extracts (ACPE) and elucidate their potential mechanism of action. An ovariectomized (OVX) rat model was employed to mimic postmenopausal osteoporosis. ACPE treatment significantly ameliorated OVX-induced bone loss, as evidenced by increased bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), and decreased trabecular separation (Tb.Sp). ACPE administration effectively improved the OVX-induced increase in serum ALP and decline in serum phosphorus levels. Mechanistically, ACPE restores dysbiosis caused by OVX, enriches beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, and increases the abundance of phosphorus transport-related bacterial communities, including g_Corynebacterium and g_DA101, while upregulating the expression of Pit1 and Pit2, suggesting a potential involvement in improved phosphorus homeostasis, thereby improving osteoporosis. This study demonstrates the efficacy of ACPE in improving osteoporosis, providing a theoretical basis for its use as a nutritional supplement for postmenopausal osteoporosis.