Therapeutic Effects of Radix Dipsaci, Pyrola Herb, and Cynomorium Songaricum on Bone Metabolism of Ovariectomized Rats

 

Meijie Liu, Gary Guishan Xiao, Peijing Rong, Zhiguo Zhang, Jiazi Dong, Hongyan Zhao, Honghong Li, Yan Li, Jinghua Pan, Hong Liu, Wenlai Wang, Qinglin Zha, Dahong Ju

 

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of herbal medicines, such as Radix Dipsaci (RDD), Pyrola Herb (PHD), and Cynomorium songaricum decoction (CSD), on osteoporotic rats induced by ovariectomy (OVX).

 

Methods: OVX or sham operations were performed on 69 virgin Wistar rats that were divided into six groups: sham (sham, n = 12), OVX control group (OVX, n = 12), and OVX rats with treatments (diethylstilbestrol, E2, n = 12; RDD, n = 11, PHD, n = 11, and CSD, n = 11). Nonsurgical rats served as normal control (NC, n = 12). The treatments began four weeks after surgery and lasted for 12 weeks. Bone mass and bone turnover were analyzed by histomorphometry. Levels of protein expression and mRNA of OPG and RANKL in osteoblasts (OB) and bone marrow stromal cells (bMSC) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

 

Results: Compared to NC and sham rats, trabecular bone formation was significantly reduced in OVX rats, but restored in E2-treated rats. Treatment with either RDD or PHD enhanced trabecular bone formation remarkably. No significant change of bone formation was observed in CSD-treated rats. OPG expression of protein and mRNA was reduced significantly in OB and bMSC of OVX control rats. RANKL expression of protein and mRNA was increased significantly in OB and bMSC of OVX control rats. These effects were substantially reversed (increased in OPG and decreased in RANKL) by treatment with E2, RDD, or PHD in OB and bMSC of OVX rats. No significant changes in either OPG or RANKL expression were observed in OB and bMSC of OVX rats treated with CSD.

 

Conclusions: Our study showed that RDD and PHD increased bone formation by stimulating overexpression of OPG and downregulation of RANKL in OB and bMSC. This suggests that RDD and PHD may be used as alternative therapeutic agents for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

 

Copyright © 2012 Liu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the

Creative Commons Attribution License

1.              Background

2.              Methods

1.           Identification and preparation of herb decoctions

2.           Animals and experimental procedures

3.           Bone histomorphometry

4.           Methylene blue staining

5.           Immunohistochemical analysis

6.           In situ hybridization

7.           Statistical analysis

3.              Results

1.           Effects of RDD, PHD, and CSD on bone formation

2.           Effects of RDD, PHD, and CSD on bone histomorphometry

3.           Effects of RDD, PHD, and CSD on protein expression of OPG and RANKL

4.           Effects of RDD, PHD, and CSD on mRNA expression of RANKL and OPG

4.              Discussion

5.              Conclusion

6.              References

 

Join our member to get full-text article! Join Free!