According to Gram Research analysis, laboratory tests show that Sceletium tortuosum, a traditional African plant, promoted bone cell strengthening even when serotonin was present, opposite to how common antidepressants weaken bones. The plant’s extracts demonstrated strong antioxidant activity that protected bone-forming cells from damage. However, this is early-stage laboratory research only; human studies are needed before this plant could be recommended as a treatment for bone loss in people taking antidepressants.
A new study from Gram Research analysis explores whether Sceletium tortuosum, a traditional African plant used to boost mood, might solve a major problem with antidepressant medications. Common antidepressants can weaken bones over time, but laboratory tests show that extracts from this plant actually strengthened bone-forming cells instead. Researchers found that the plant’s natural compounds work differently than standard antidepressants, they fight harmful molecules in cells while still supporting mood. If these lab results hold up in human studies, this plant could become a helpful addition to depression treatment that doesn’t damage bone health.
Key Statistics
A 2026 laboratory study published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies found that Sceletium tortuosum extracts promoted bone cell mineralization despite the presence of serotonin, which normally suppresses bone formation.
Researchers identified mesembrine and mesembrenone as the primary active alkaloids in Sceletium tortuosum, though the full plant extract showed stronger bone-promoting effects than mesembrine alone.
Both water-based and alcohol-based extracts of Sceletium tortuosum demonstrated pronounced free radical-scavenging activity in laboratory assays, suggesting antioxidant mechanisms underlie the plant’s bone-protective effects.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether extracts from Sceletium tortuosum, an African plant traditionally used for mood support, could protect bone cells from the bone-weakening effects of serotonin-boosting antidepressants.
- Who participated: This was a laboratory study using bone-forming cells grown in dishes, not human participants. Researchers tested both water-based and alcohol-based plant extracts on these cells.
- Key finding: Plant extracts from Sceletium tortuosum actually promoted bone cell mineralization (bone strengthening) in laboratory conditions, even when serotonin was present, the opposite of what standard antidepressants do.
- What it means for you: This research is very early-stage and only tested in lab cells, not in people. It suggests the plant might eventually help people taking antidepressants avoid bone loss, but much more research is needed before it could be recommended as a treatment.
The Research Details
Researchers created two types of extracts from Sceletium tortuosum leaves, one using water and one using alcohol. They then exposed bone-forming cells (called SaOS-2 cells) grown in laboratory dishes to these extracts, along with serotonin, to see what would happen. They measured several things: whether the cells stayed healthy, whether they produced alkaline phosphatase (a protein that shows bone cells are working properly), and whether the plant extracts could neutralize harmful free radicals (unstable molecules that damage cells). The researchers also used advanced chemistry techniques to identify exactly which compounds in the plant were responsible for the effects.
This type of laboratory research is called ‘in vitro’ testing, which means it happens outside a living body. It’s an important first step in drug discovery because it helps scientists understand how substances work at the cellular level before testing them in animals or humans. The researchers were specifically looking for whether the plant could counteract the bone-weakening effects that serotonin-boosting antidepressants are known to cause.
The study measured the plant’s ability to fight free radicals using two different laboratory tests (DPPH and H2DCF-DA assays), which helped confirm that the plant’s protective effects were real and consistent across different testing methods.
This research matters because millions of people take antidepressants called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) to treat depression and anxiety. A well-known side effect of these medications is that they can weaken bones over time, increasing the risk of fractures, especially in older adults. If a natural plant could provide mood support without this bone-weakening effect, or even while protecting bones: it could be a major breakthrough. This study provides the first laboratory evidence that such a plant might exist, which justifies moving forward with more expensive and time-consuming human studies.
This is early-stage laboratory research, which means it has both strengths and limitations. The strength is that it used rigorous scientific methods to identify specific plant compounds and measure their effects precisely. The limitation is that laboratory cells behave differently than cells in a living body. Bone cells in a dish don’t experience the complex hormonal, nutritional, and mechanical factors that affect real bones. The study didn’t test the plant in animals or humans, so we don’t know if these lab results would translate to actual bone health benefits. The sample size for cell studies isn’t reported in the traditional way, but the researchers appear to have conducted multiple experiments to verify their findings.
What the Results Show
The most important finding was that Sceletium tortuosum extracts promoted mineralization in bone-forming cells, meaning the cells built stronger, more solid bone tissue. This happened even in the presence of serotonin, which normally suppresses this process. Interestingly, the plant extracts didn’t work by blocking serotonin’s effects entirely. Instead, they appeared to work through a different pathway, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals (harmful molecules that accumulate in cells).
When researchers tested the plant extracts’ ability to neutralize free radicals, they found strong activity in both laboratory tests. This suggests that the plant’s bone-protecting effects might come from its antioxidant properties, its ability to clean up harmful molecules in cells. The extracts maintained this protective effect whether they were made with water or alcohol, indicating that multiple compounds in the plant contribute to the benefit.
The researchers identified the main active compounds in the plant as mesembrine and mesembrenone, which are alkaloids (nitrogen-containing compounds). Interestingly, when they tested mesembrine alone, it showed only weak bone-promoting effects. This suggests that the full plant extract works better than any single compound, possibly because different compounds work together synergistically.
The study found that alkaline phosphatase activity, a marker showing that bone cells are actively differentiating and working properly, remained unchanged when cells were exposed to the plant extracts. This is actually good news because it means the extracts weren’t forcing cells to behave abnormally; they were simply protecting them from serotonin’s suppressive effects. The researchers also confirmed that the plant extracts didn’t harm cell viability (cells stayed alive and healthy), which is essential for any potential therapeutic use.
This research builds on well-established knowledge that SSRIs (the most common class of antidepressants) can weaken bones by interfering with bone formation. Previous studies have shown this is a real clinical problem, particularly for people taking these medications long-term. This is the first study to systematically test whether Sceletium tortuosum, a plant with a long history of traditional use for mood support, could counteract this specific side effect. The finding that the plant works through antioxidant mechanisms rather than by blocking serotonin directly is novel and suggests a different approach than simply using alternative antidepressants.
The biggest limitation is that this is laboratory research only. Bone cells in a dish don’t experience gravity, hormones, nutrition, or the mechanical stress that real bones do. What works in a lab may not work in a living body. The study didn’t test the plant in animals or humans, so we don’t know if these effects would actually prevent bone loss in people taking antidepressants. The study also didn’t measure how much of the plant extract would be needed to achieve these effects in humans, or whether it would be safe at those doses. Additionally, the researchers didn’t test whether the plant extract would interfere with how antidepressants work in the brain. Finally, this was a single study from one research group; the findings need to be replicated by other scientists before we can be confident in the results.
The Bottom Line
At this stage, there is no evidence strong enough to recommend Sceletium tortuosum as a treatment for bone loss in people taking antidepressants. This is promising early-stage research that suggests further investigation is warranted, but it’s not ready for clinical use. People currently taking antidepressants should continue their prescribed medications and discuss bone health concerns with their doctor. If interested in this plant for mood support, consult a healthcare provider before using it, especially if taking other medications.
This research is most relevant to: (1) People taking SSRIs who are concerned about bone health, particularly older adults and postmenopausal women at higher fracture risk; (2) Researchers studying natural compounds for psychiatric and bone health applications; (3) Healthcare providers looking for ways to minimize antidepressant side effects; (4) People interested in traditional African medicine and ethnobotany. This research should NOT be used to replace prescribed antidepressants or to self-treat depression.
If this research leads to human trials, it would typically take 5-10 years before any new treatment could become available. Laboratory research must first be confirmed by other scientists, then tested in animals, then in small human safety studies, and finally in large clinical trials. Even if all goes well, the timeline from this lab study to a potential clinical recommendation is measured in years, not months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take Sceletium tortuosum to protect my bones if I’m on antidepressants?
Not yet based on current evidence. This 2026 study only tested the plant in laboratory cells, not in humans. Talk to your doctor before adding any supplements to your antidepressant regimen. Bone loss from antidepressants can be managed through exercise, calcium, vitamin D, and regular monitoring.
Is Sceletium tortuosum the same as kanna?
Yes. Sceletium tortuosum is the scientific name for kanna, a plant traditionally used by indigenous Southern African peoples for mood elevation. It contains mesembrine, which works similarly to prescription antidepressants but may have different effects on bone health.
How long until this plant could be available as a depression treatment?
This research is very early-stage. Even if promising, it typically takes 5-10 years to move from laboratory studies to approved treatments. Animal studies and human clinical trials would be needed first to confirm safety and effectiveness.
Why do antidepressants weaken bones in the first place?
SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain to improve mood, but serotonin also affects bone-forming cells. Higher serotonin suppresses these cells’ ability to build new bone tissue, leading to gradual bone density loss over time, especially with long-term use.
What makes Sceletium tortuosum different from regular antidepressants in this study?
Unlike SSRIs that work primarily through serotonin, this plant appears to protect bone cells through antioxidant mechanisms, neutralizing harmful free radicals. This dual action might support mood while protecting bone health, though human evidence is still needed.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Users taking antidepressants could track bone health markers over time: record any falls or injuries, monitor joint/bone pain, and note energy levels and mood. If this plant extract eventually becomes available as a supplement, users could log daily intake and correlate it with mood scores and any changes in bone-related symptoms.
- Once human research validates this plant’s safety and effectiveness, users could potentially add Sceletium tortuosum extract to their depression management routine alongside prescribed medications (with doctor approval). The app could remind users to take it consistently and track whether mood and energy improve over weeks and months.
- Long-term tracking would involve: (1) Monthly mood and energy ratings; (2) Quarterly bone health check-ins (any new aches, pains, or injuries); (3) Annual DEXA scans if recommended by a doctor (to measure bone density); (4) Ongoing medication adherence tracking to ensure users don’t replace prescribed antidepressants with the plant extract.
This research describes laboratory findings only and has not been tested in humans. It should not be used to replace prescribed antidepressants or to self-treat depression or anxiety. Sceletium tortuosum is not currently approved by the FDA as a medical treatment. People taking antidepressants who are concerned about bone health should discuss screening and prevention strategies with their healthcare provider. Do not start, stop, or change any psychiatric medications without medical supervision. This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
