Background: Estrogen depletion alters bone mineralization and oxidative stress. Antioxidants like humic acids (HA) may help mitigate bone demineralization and redox imbalances. Thus, this study evaluated the effects of HA on bone mineral composition and oxidative stress markers in an experimental menopause model. Methods: Twenty-four female C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups (n = 6/group): Sham; Sham + HA; Ovariectomized (OVX); and OVX + HA. The menopause model was induced by bilateral ovariectomy at the beginning of the experiment. HA derived from biomass vermicompost was administered daily by gavage for 28 days. After euthanasia, femurs and fragments of the gastrocnemius muscle, liver, and kidney were collected. Bone elemental composition was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) activities were assessed in muscle, renal, and hepatic tissues. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni’s post hoc test. Results: Untreated OVX mice exhibited a significant reduction in femoral calcium content (p < 0.05). However, HA treatment increased calcium levels and improved the Ca/P ratio (p < 0.05). H2O2 activity was reduced in the liver and kidney of OVX + HA mice compared to untreated animals (p < 0.05). CAT activity in muscle increased in the OVX + HA group compared to the OVX (p < 0.05). Conclusions: HA treatment improved femoral elemental composition and modulated oxidative stress markers in an experimental menopause model.
Background: Periodontal disease (PD) leads to the destruction of supportive tissues through an inflammatory response induced by biofilm accumulation. This low-grade systemic inflammation from PD increases the risk of comorbidities. Among potential therapeutic agents for PD, humic acids (HAs) are notable for their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying HA doses on PD progression in an experimental model. Methods: Fifty-four Wistar rats were assigned to six groups (n = 8 each): control, PD, PD + 40 mg/kg HA, PD + 80 mg/kg HA, PD + 160 mg/kg HA, and PD + 320 mg/kg HA. HA from vermicompost was administered daily by gavage for 28 days, with PD induced by ligature on day 14. Post-euthanasia, mandibular samples were analyzed histomorphometrically for bone loss and osteocyte density. Alveolar bone topography and elemental composition were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Renal and hepatic tissues were assessed histopathologically. Data were analyzed with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s test. Results: HA-treated animals showed reduced epithelial attachment loss and alveolar bone loss, with improved bone quality parameters, such as reduced pore number and diameter and increased osteocyte density compared to the PD group. Renal lesions observed in PD animals were mitigated at 40 and 80 mg/kg HA doses. Conclusions: HA treatment improves alveolar bone integrity and, at lower doses, reduces PD-induced renal lesions.