Treatment of Osteoporosis via Regulation of Endocrine System by Traditional Chinese Medicine： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

In recent years， with the changes of population structure and the aggravation of aging， the prevalence of osteoporosis is increasing year by year. Osteoporosis poses great impacts on the body and family life of the patients and increases the burden on the society. Therefore， the research on osteoporosis is urgent and significant. The imbalance between osteoblasts， osteocytes， and osteoclasts causes abnormal bone metabolism， which destroys the fine structure of bone and increases bone fragility， thus increasing the risk of fracture. Although the pathogenesis of osteoporosis is complex， researchers have confirmed that the imbalance of the endocrine system directly or indirectly promotes the occurrence and development of osteoporosis. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is a treasure of Chinese traditional culture and plays a key role in safeguarding the public health. With unique therapeutic effects and advantages， TCM has been widely accepted. Chinese medicines， moxibustion， acupuncture and other TCM therapies have play a unique role in the treatment of osteoporosis. Particularly， TCM prevention and treatment of osteoporosis by regulating the endocrine system has received extensive attention. By reviewing relevant literature， this paper introduces the research progress in the TCM modulation of bone metabolism and alleviation of bone loss by regulating estrogen， calcitonin， and parathyroid hormone in the endocrine system and affecting the hypothalamus capable of regulating these hormones， aiming to provide ideas for the TCM treatment of osteoporosis.