The impact of dried sea buckthorn (Elaeagnus rhamnoides (L.) A. Nelson) berries versus metformin administration on the skeletal system in Zucker diabetic fatty rats

Monika Martiniaková; Marcela Capcarová; Anna Šarocká; Veronika Kováčová; Noémi Pénzes; Vladimíra Mondočková; Piotr Londzin; Joanna Folwarczna; Radoslav Omelka

doi:10.2478/jvetres-2026-0057

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The impact of dried sea buckthorn (Elaeagnus rhamnoides (L.) A. Nelson) berries versus metformin administration on the skeletal system in Zucker diabetic fatty rats

Journal of Veterinary Research

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By: Monika Martiniaková , Marcela Capcarová , Anna Šarocká , Veronika Kováčová , Noémi Pénzes , Vladimíra Mondočková , Piotr Londzin , Joanna Folwarczna and Radoslav Omelka

Open Access

|Oct 2026

Abstract

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes is associated with compromised bone quality. Positive effects of sea buckthorn (SB, Elaeagnus rhamnoides (L.) A. Nelson) berry extract on bone biomarkers have been found in vitro, suggesting its therapeutic potential. This study provides the first evidence on the impact of dried SB berries versus metformin (MET) administration on the skeletal system of the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat, an animal model of type 2 diabetes.

Material and Methods

A total of 30 male ZDF rats (n = 6 per group) were included in the study and randomly assigned to five experimental groups: L (untreated and lean), D (untreated and obese), DM (obese and treated with 150 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)/day of MET), DS1 (obese and treated with 250 mg/kg b.w./day of SB), and DS2 (obese and treated with 500 mg/kg b.w./day of SB). Treatment lasted four months. Biochemical and macroscopic analyses, micro-computed tomography and mechanical testing were performed.

Results

The rats from group D had compromised femoral bone microstructure compared with group L (P-value < 0.05) as well as impaired glucose, lipid and liver profiles. Administration of MET (group DM) resulted not only in significant reductions in a bone resorption marker (C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen) but also in significant increases in cortical and trabecular bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness versus group D (P-value < 0.05). The level of AST, a liver injury marker, was also lower. Supplementation with SB (group DS1) only lowered liver injury markers (AST and ALT) (P-value < 0.05).

Conclusion

Administration of dried SB berries at the doses used in this study did not improve bone microstructure or bone turnover markers. Therefore, SB supplementation did not achieve the therapeutic effects of MET in the context of diabetic bone disease, likely because of its limited bioavailability, degradation of its bioactive metabolites during the hot-air drying process and/or insufficiency of dosage.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2026-0057 | Journal eISSN: 2450-8608 (formerly 2300-3235)

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Language: English

Submitted on: Apr 20, 2026

Accepted on: Jun 15, 2026

Published on: Oct 16, 2026

Published by: National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

Zucker diabetic fatty rats.

Related subjects:

Life sciences,

Molecular biology,

Microbiology and virology,

Life sciences, other,

Medicine,

Veterinary medicine

© 2026 Monika Martiniaková, Marcela Capcarová, Anna Šarocká, Veronika Kováčová, Noémi Pénzes, Vladimíra Mondočková, Piotr Londzin, Joanna Folwarczna, Radoslav Omelka, published by National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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