Effects of Chinese herbal medicine on bone structure and function.

This study examined the effects of four-months of treatment using Chinese herbal Shu Di Shan Zha Formula on bone health. Fourteen Australian menopausal women participated in this paired study and completed all the tests at the commencement, 4th month (when the treatment group and control group cross over) and the 8th month (end) of the study. Data from bone structure and function tests (broadband ultrasonic attenuation--BUA and velocity of sound--VOS), biomarkers of bone turnover (osteocalcin--OSTN and urinary pyridum crosslinks--PYR and D-PYR) were collected from each subject. Results showed that Shu Di Shan Zha Formula was able to affect the level of BUA, and reduce the level of D-PYR in menopausal women.