ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the therapeutic effect and mechanism of alcohol extract from Epimedii Herba (AEEH) on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats. Methods: Ipriflavone Tablets (200 mg/kg) and different doses of AEEH (170 and 85 mg/kg) were given for 8 weeks by ig administration, from 4 weeks after ovariectomization. Then, the protein expression of serum ALP, StrACP, femoral osteoprotegerin (OPG), and osteoclast differentiation factor (RANKL) was evaluated by biochemical assay kits and immunohistochemical evaluation; The mechanical properties of the tibia were determined by three point bending test method. Finally, the distal femoral trabecular bone parameters and the 3D reconstruction, trabecular bone of the 3D graphics were intuitively illustrated, and the effect of AEEH on rats suffered from osteoporosis role was observed by micro-CT. Results: Treatment with AEEH (170 mg/kg) significantly inhibited serum ALP and StrACP levels. Furthermore, AEEH also could significantly increase OPG protein expression while reduce RANKL protein expression compared with OVX rats. In addition, it could effectively improve the biomechanical properties of the tibia and the parameters of the trabecular bone of the femur, respectively. Conclusion: AEEH is effective in treating ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats and the mechanism is mainly achieved by promoting the activity of osteoblast and inhibiting the activity of osteoclast.