Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Chinese herbal preparation Xianlinggubao whose main ingredient is icariin can promote bone formation.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and related mechanism of Xianlinggubao on bone loss in tail-suspended rats.
METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: control group (A), simulated weightlessness group (B) and Xianlinggubao group (C). Rats in the group B and group C underwent tail-suspension, and in the group C was administered Xianlinggubao by gavage with dosage of 250 mg/(kg•d) at the same time while in the group B was administered double distilled water as control. Bone mineral density (BMD), biomechanical three-point bending and bone morphology of the right femurs were detected after 4 weeks removing the right femurs.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: BMD, trabecular bone volume, bone trabecular thickness, trabecular number and biomechanics maximum load in the group A were markedly higher than those in groups B and C (P < 0.05), BMD of tibia distal 1/4, trabecular bone volume of proximal tibia in group C were higher as compared to group B (P < 0.05). Biomechanics maximum load in the group C was also higher than that of the group B, but there was no significant difference. Xianlinggubao inhibition by gavage can promote bone formation and partially prevent bone loss in tail-suspended rats.