Anti-osteoporotic effect of Gengnian Jianshen decoction in rats

Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of Gengnian Jianshen Decoction (GJD) on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats. Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a sham-operated group (control), and five ovariectomy (OVX) sub-groups, that is, OVX with vehicle (OVX), OVX with Xianling Gubao capsule (positive control drug, 120 mg/kg/day), and OVX with GJD doses (70, 140, and 280 mg/kg/day). The treatments were given orally daily for 16 weeks (starting 4 weeks after the rats were subjected to ovariectomy. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the L4 vertebrae and right femur of each rat was estimated. Serum levels of estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), as well as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) of rats in all the groups were determined using ELISA. Results: The results showed that GJD dose-dependently inhibited BMD reduction in L4 vertebrae and femur, and significantly increased serum E2, FSH and LH levels (p < 0.05) in the osteoporotic rats. Moreover, GJD significantly decreased serum IL-6 levels and increased levels of IGF-1 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that GJD prevents OVX-induced osteoporosis in rats without hyperplastic effects on the uterus. Thus, GJD has potential for use in the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis.