Systemic effect of crude extract from rhizome of Drynaria fortunei on bone formation in mice.

The structure of the bones of mice with and without consumption of Gusuibu extracts were compared. Twenty 8-week-old male BALB/c mice were divided into two groups. In the control group ten mice were daily fed a normal diet and distilled water for drinking. In the Gusuibu group ten mice were daily fed a normal diet and distilled water mixed with Gusuibu extract for drinking. The mice were kept for 5 weeks and were then killed. Using micro-computed tomography, 20 micro-tomographic slices with an increment of 0.25 mm were acquired to cover the proximal end of the left tibia of each mouse. Quantitative morphometry of the bone structure was performed. The results showed that consumption of Gusuibu extract increased the bone volume/tissue volume ratio by 6.45%. The bone trabeculae were increased by 10.00% in number so that the bone density was increased. To conclude, Gusuibu extract taken orally increased bone density. Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.