ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the potential effect of the low glycosides fraction from Epimedii Herba (LGFEH) on UMR-106 cells and zebrafish model with osteoporosis induced by Prednisolone. Methods: The MTT assay was used to detect the effect of LGFEH on the proliferation of UMR-106 cells, and at the same time, the influence of LGFEH to the UMR-106 cells differentiation was observed through testing the ALP activity of UMR-106 cells using biochemical assays. Zebrafish larvae at 3 d post fertilization were divided into blank control group, 0.5% DMSO group, Prednisolone group, etidronate disodium group, and LGFEH (1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 μg/mL) groups. All groups were incubated in 24-well plates for 9 d until execution, and then zebrafish skeleton was anesthetized and fixed for staining with alizarin red. Quantitative analysis of the stained area was performed by microscopic inspection and digital imaging methods to reflect the amount of bone mineralization. Results: The LGFEH significantly increased both proliferation and ALP activities of UMR-106 cells. Furthermore, compared with model group, head skeleton mineral area and IOD of the LGFEH groups were significantly increased. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the LGFEH might be beneficial for treating osteoporosis.