Effects of traditional Chinese medicine on bone loss in SAMP6: a murine model for senile osteoporosis.

We evaluated the effects of the traditional Chinese medicines, Hachimi-jio-gan, Juzen-taiho-to and Unkei-to, on bone loss in murine model of senile osteoporosis (SAMP6). Two-month-old SAMP6 were divided into control and experimental groups. The control mice had the tap water available as the only drinking fluid. The experimental mice were given 0.05% aqueous solution of Hachimi-jio-gan, Juzen-taiho-to or Unkei-to for three months. The solution intake of a mouse averaged 5 ml per day. The bones were studied morphologically and histomorphometrically, together with bone mineral density (BMD), serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and estradiol levels. In the control group, BMD and the amount of bone forming surface were low, the serum PTH level was high when compared with the normal mice SAMR1. Many osteocytes and osteoblasts showed degenerative changes and numerous mast cells were observed in the bone marrow. Compared with controls, the serum estradiol level was higher in the Unkei-to group. However, we did not find any significant changes of bones. In the Hachimi-jio-gan and Juzen-taiho-to groups, the bone mass and the amount of bone forming surface increased. Most of the osteocytes and osteoblasts appeared normal. As compared with controls, the number of mast cells in bone marrow decreased in the Hachimi-jio-gan group. The serum PTH level had declined in the Juzen-taiho-to group. The present study provides certain evidence that Hachimi-jio-gan and Juzen-taiho-to are effective in preventing bone loss in SAMP6, while Unkei-to can only improve the ovary function.