ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Studies confirmed that pueraria can not only prevent the reduced bone mineral density and bone mass in the ovadectomy-caused estrogen deficiency mice with osteoporosis model, also improve bone micro-structure, it can be used for osteoporosis prevention and treatment in women after menopause. Does it exhibit a similar effect fpr the treatment of male osteoporosis?OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of puerariae Radix (PR) crude drug on the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone micro-architecture in androgen-deficiency mice with osteoporosis model.METHODS: A total of 48 ddY male mice, aged 8 weeks and weighing 32-35 g, were randomly divided into 6 groups: sham group,orchidectomized group, PR with low, middle and high dose group, 17β-estradiol group. Each group contained 8 mice. In sham group, mice were sham operated to expose testis and epididymis, removing surrounding fat tissue; in other groups, mice were orchidectomized. After operation, sham group and model group were fed normal diet, while PR with low, middle and high dose groups were fed a diet containing 5%, 10% and 20% PR, and 17β-estradiol group was fed a normal diet with subcutaneous administration of 17β-estradiol 0.03μg/d. The diet dosage was all 4.0 g/d. Four weeks after experiment, the mice were anesthetized and killed, and the weight of the seminal vesicle was measured. Dual-energy X-ray was used to detect BMD in femurs, and micro-CT analysis for distal femur metaphysis sponge bone microstructura.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The whole femoral BMD was significantly decreased by 10.9% in the model group, and the decrease in BMD was completely prevented by intake of the diet with the low dose of PR. Intake of the diet with the middle dose of PR further increased BMD in the model group, but no significant differences were observed. Furthermore, the high dose of PR administration significantly increased BMD by 26.1% and 12.4% respectively compared with model group and sham operated group, and the potency was similar to that of 17β-estradiol. Intake of the diet with the low dose of PR completely prevented the decrease in trabecular bone volume and trabecular number, and restored the increase in trabecular separation in mice caused by androgen deficiency. Intake of the diet with the middle dose of PR could enhance the inhibition effect, but there was no significant difference; intake of the diet with the high dose of PR exhibited the strongest effect on the inhibition, it further significantly increased trabecular bone volume and trabecular number compared with sham operated group. The seminal vesicle was not affected by the administration of any doses of PR. Without influence on the seminal vesicle, the low and middle dose of PR can completely inhibit the decreasing BMD and bone mass caused by androgen deficiency in mice, as well as improve bone structure,high dose of PR exhibits a significant effect and similar to 17β-estradiol.