Osteoporosis (OP) is a common systemic chronic metabolic bone disease that primarily affects individuals over the age of 50. It is highly prone to causing complications such as fractures, which severely impair patients’ health and quality of life. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is composed of the NLRP3 receptor, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and pro-caspase-1. In the chronic inflammatory microenvironment induced by aging or estrogen deficiency, this inflammasome is activated. It mediates inflammatory responses and induces pyroptosis by regulating the maturation and secretion of caspase-1-dependent proinflammatory cytokines, namely interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). This process not only accelerates bone resorption but also inhibits bone formation, ultimately increasing the risk of OP. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can exert therapeutic effects on OP by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome. This article comprehensively reviews the structure and activation process of the NLRP3 inflammasome, as well as the complex mechanisms through which TCM treats OP by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome. The aim is to provide new insights for the targeted therapy of OP and serve as a reference for identifying ideal therapeutic targets for OP.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |