S Yu1, K Chen, S Li, K Zhang. 1. Department of Oral Pathology, School of Stomatology, Beijing Medical University (BMU), P. R. China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of a Chinese herb on osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Osteoclasts were isolated and cultured for in vitro study of the effect of the Chinese herb Guizhou epimedium (Epimedium Leptorrhizum Stearn). The in vivo effect of this Chinese herb was also investigated in rats in whom osteoporosis was induced by ovariectomy; these results were then compared with the effects of estradiol in the same group of rats. RESULTS: The in vitro study showed that the epimedium inhibited the osteoclastic resorption of bone. The in vivo investigation demonstrated that both the epimedium and estradiol were able to increase mineral content and promote bone formation. CONCLUSION: The Chinese herb Guizhou epimedium is of potential use in the treatment of osteoporosis.
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of a Chinese herb on osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Osteoclasts were isolated and cultured for in vitro study of the effect of the Chinese herb Guizhou epimedium (Epimedium Leptorrhizum Stearn). The in vivo effect of this Chinese herb was also investigated in rats in whom osteoporosis was induced by ovariectomy; these results were then compared with the effects of estradiol in the same group of rats. RESULTS: The in vitro study showed that the epimedium inhibited the osteoclastic resorption of bone. The in vivo investigation demonstrated that both the epimedium and estradiol were able to increase mineral content and promote bone formation. CONCLUSION: The Chinese herb Guizhou epimedium is of potential use in the treatment of osteoporosis.