Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (35): 9128-9134.doi: 10.12307/2026.464

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula inhibits bone loss and improves trabecular biomechanical parameters in ovariectomized rats

Lin Shi1, 2, Yang Binbin1, 3, 4, Tang Zijia1, Dongzhi Zhuoma1, Wu Jianjun1, Chen Tongying1, Wan Lei5, Huang Hongxing5, Huang Hong1, 6   

  1. 1Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong Province, China; 2The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China; 3Shenzhen Orthopedics and Traumatology Hospital affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518118, Guangdong Province, China; 4Shenzhen Pingle Orthopedic Hospital (Shenzhen Pingshan District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Shenzhen 518118, Guangdong Province, China; 5The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510378, Guangdong Province, China; 6Nursing School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2025-10-22 Revised:2026-02-14 Online:2026-12-18 Published:2026-04-25
  • Contact: Huang Hongxing, Professor, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510378, Guangdong Province, China Co-corresponding author: Huang Hong, Senior experimentalist, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong Province, China; Nursing School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong Province, China
  • About author:Lin Shi, PhD, Attending physician, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong Province, China; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82274551 (to HHX); the Key Project of Guangdong Provincial Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation Enterprise Joint Fund, No. 2023B1515230001 (to HHX); the Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology Plan for Social Development Science and Technology Collaborative Innovation System Construction, No. 2024A1111120018 (to WL)

PDF

6

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Previous studies have confirmed that the Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula can increase bone mineral density in osteoporotic rats.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula on bone loss and trabecular biomechanical parameters in ovariectomized rats.
METHODS: Fifty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: a normal group (n=10) without any intervention, a sham-operated group (n=10) undergoing resection of adipose tissue near the ovaries, and an ovariectomized group (n=10), a Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula group (n=10), and an alendronate group (n=10) undergoing bilateral ovariectomy to establish an osteoporosis model. Twelve weeks after modeling, the Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula group and the alendronate group were orally administered the Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula and alendronate, respectively, while the other three groups were orally administered normal saline, once daily for 12 consecutive weeks. After final treatment, lumbar spine bone mineral density was measured, micro-CT was used to analyze bone microstructure parameters of the distal femur and proximal tibia, hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histological morphology of the proximal tibia, and finite element analysis was used to analyze strain and stress in the distal femur.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Lumbar spine bone mineral density in the ovariectomized group was lower than that in the normal and sham-operated groups (P < 0.05), while lumbar spine bone mineral density in the Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula group and the alendronate group was higher than that in the ovariectomized group (P < 0.05). (2) Micro-CT analysis showed that compared with the normal and sham-operated groups, the ovariectomized group exhibited significantly decreased bone volume fraction, bone surface density, and trabecular number (P < 0.05), as well as significantly increased trabecular separation and structure model index (P < 0.05) in the proximal tibia (or distal femur). Compared with the ovariectomized group, the Bushen Jianpi Huoxue formula and alendronate groups showed significantly increased bone volume fraction, bone surface density, and trabecular number in the distal femur (P < 0.05), significantly decreased trabecular separation and structure model index in the distal femur (P < 0.05), and significantly increased bone volume fraction, bone surface density, and trabecular number in the proximal tibia (P < 0.05). (3) Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that the degree of fatty infiltration in the bone marrow cavity was significantly higher in the ovariectomized group than in the normal and sham-operated groups. The Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula and alendronate groups showed marked improvement in bone marrow adiposity. (4) Finite element analysis showed that under the same load, trabecular stress and strain in the ovariectomized group were significantly higher than those in the normal and sham-operated groups (P < 0.05). The Bushen Jianpi Huoxue formula and alendronate groups exhibited significantly improved trabecular stress and strain compared with the ovariectomized group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula can prevent bone loss, improve bone microstructure, and enhance trabecular biomechanical properties in ovariectomized rats, indicating its potential efficacy in preventing osteoporotic fractures.

Key words: osteoporosis, ovariectomized rats, bone loss, Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula, biomechanics, trabecular biomechanical parameters

CLC Number: